AFCON revelation, Sunday Mba, has not played club football, months after his goal made Nigeria the new African champions, because Warri Wolves and Rangers are yet to reach an agreement.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), ruled that the midfielder belongs to Wolves and if he is to moved to his preferred Rangers, the Enugu club would have to pay a transfer fee, as set by Wolves. It is understood that Wolves are demanding for N12million and Rangers are yet to agree to the fee, that could break the record for the NPL’s most expensive signing.
The whole drama has left Mba in limbo and he was a shadow of himself against Kenya in a World Cup qualifier, where he was eventually pulled out. Reports also have it that foreign clubs are pulling out of the race to sign him, as they are not certain which club they will be negotiating with.
This has led to a lot of people calling for a quick resolution, to stop Mba’s career from falling apart.
“I am urging and pleading with both clubs (Rangers and Warri Wolves) to settle the case and allow Sunday (Mba) concentrate on his career,” Nigeria goalkeeper trainer Ike Shorunmu told MTNFootball.com.
“What is happening is not good for his career. I don’t really know what transpired between the clubs on Sunday’s transfer, they know. I want them to consider the boys career and settle it in time. It is taking its toll on him already.”
Tijani Babangida also admitted it was not a small issue and blamed the NFF.
“This is not a small issue. It is affecting his career in a big way, his mind is not settled and that is a big problem for player to perform. But since it involves Nigeria league teams, the NFF are to blame because they don’t have rule that protect players and at the same time help their clubs to get more money,” he said.
“NFF know players sign a year or a season deal with these clubs, so when the season finishes, this player should not belong to this club because the contract he signed with them has ended. And so when he wants to join new team, NFF or league board will ask him to bring a clearance from his previous club, which ought not to be.
“The clubs should be encouraged to sign a player for more than a year then when he is going before his contract has expired, you could then ask for money.
“This case should not have got to this level because they know Mba signed a year’s deal at every club he had played.
“I urge Mba’s agent to take this case to court so that his player could be free and his career will be saved.”
Former international, Jonathan Akpoborie said: “This problem should be resolved one and for all the NFF. It’s the lack of clear rules regarding players’ contracts that is causing this problem. The boy should ask the NFF to save his career and not allowing the clubs to mess him up.
“If they cannot, may be sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi should wade into the matter to save a promising career from hitting the rocks.”
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