Uganda Cranes striker Emmanuel Okwi has been cleared by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) to feature for Tanzania side Yanga SC.
The ex-Simba forward moved to Yanga from SC Villa in December but the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) refused to register the player and sought FIFA’s advice on the player’s status after Tunisia’s Etoile Du Sahel insisted Okwi was legally still their player.
Okwi left Etoile in June 2013 alleging the Tunisian cub of breached his contract by failing to pay his sign on fees.
In retaliation, Etoile took the matter to FIFA accusing Okwi of absconding from duty without permission but the soccer governing body later allowed Okwi to feature for SC Villa but highlighted as a loan move and continental body CAF barred the player from representing Uganda in the recently concluded Africa Nations Championship which is a competition for locally based players.
However, TFF secretary Celestine Mwesigwa confirmed to media that Okwi has been cleared by FIFA and thus he is now legally a Yanga SC player. “FIFA has replied our letter in which we sought advice on Okwi’s status and he has been cleared to play for Yanga,” Mwesigwa told the media.
Meanwhile, Okwi was delighted by the move and says he is now focused on helping Yanga SC achieve its ambitions. “I am happy to have it resolved. I am now fully focused on helping Yanga achieve its ambitions,” Okwi told Kawowo Sports in an exclusive interview.
The striker is expected to make his competitive debut for Yanga SC on February 22 against Ruvu Shooting after missing three games.
