Uganda Cranes striker Emmanuel Okwi is still stuck in Kampala after failing to return to his Tunisian club Etolie de Sahel.
Mtnfootball.com reports that the former SC Villa striker who moved from Tanzania’s giant club Simba SC in January for US $ 300,000 has not returned to Tunisia since featuring in Uganda’s 2-1 win over Angola on June 15 in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
“I have some problems with my club and there is no way I will go back unless the matter is resolved,” Okwi told MTNFootball.com.
It remains unclear on why the striker who netted the equalizing goal in that game has not reported back to Tunis but sources close to him reveal that his conflict with the club arises from unpaid dues revealing that Etoile du Sahel still owe Okwi $ 50,000 as part of the sign on fee.
Unconfirmed reports from Tanzania also indicate that the Tunisian giants, who qualified for the group stage of the CAF Confederations Cup, have also failed to pay the balance meant for Okwi’s former team Simba SC.
Nevertheless, other sources reveal that the striker is unhappy at Etoile for not getting enough playing time. It should be noted that even after Uganda’s 0-2 defeat to Liberia in March, Okwi refused to go back to Tunisia immediately citing unhappiness at the club.
Ugandan players have a history of refusing to return to their clubs after national duty with left fullback Godfrey Walusimbi still club less after failure to return to DR Congo’s CS Don Bosco in March while midfielder Mike Mutyaba almost quit TP Mazembe for unclear reasons.
Efforts to hear from Okwi were futile as his known phone lines were off but we shall keep you updated on the developments.
