Gor Mahia reads mischief in Wafula saga

Gor Mahia are insisting that speedy utility player Innocent Wafula is a Kenyan. Wafula had been called up to the national team to face Cape Verde, only to be dropped a day later because he had no papers to prove he waws a Kenyan.

“We are waiting for Wafula to verify his documents when he returns from Kisumu. He told us he doesn’t have a passport but he is a Kenyan so unless we confirm, we cannot risk calling him in the team,”  said Stars Team Manager, Willis Waliaula.

Team official Ronald Ngala is certain that Wafula is a Kenyan and that those accusing him of being a Ugandan have ulterior motives. “We signed him using the documents he used when playing for Chemelil Sugar which indicated his nationality as Kenyan. He was nobody when playing for Chemelil, why is it now that he has shined at Gor that people are complaining? He needs to get a passport to prove critics wrong which we are in the process of doing that alongside that of Ernest Wendo. Some KPL officials were also complaining that he is a Ugandan and were are asking them why now?”” said Ngala to Capital FM.

Wafula was noticed while playing for Busia Combined. He then joined Chemelil FC before being approached by Gor Mahia in January in what turned out to be one of the best transfer seasons in the history of the club.

Wafula has been impressive with his tireless runs up and down the flanks. He has been able to excel both in midfield and in defense. His  form finally compelled Stars coach Bobby Williamson to call him up to the national team.

Wafula’s paperwork has not been completely sortedout since he was signed in January.

“We registered him (Wafula) using waiting card which was original. For one to be registered, he needs to produce an identification card, birth certificate or passport. When Gor signed him, they did not need to submit new documents but instead they used the ones from Chemelil,” a KPL official told Capital Sport on Tuesday evening.

Wafula himself has always insisted that he is Kenyan. He hails from border town Busia and can therefore, play for Kenya. “I want to confirm that I am a Kenyan though I don’t have a passport yet giving me the right to turn out for Harambee Stars. If given the opportunity, I will really love to play for Stars.” he told goal.com

Harambee Stars Squad

Ali Abondo who has been in fine scoring form of late has earned a recall to the national team. His last outing against Ethiopia ended poorly and he will be eager to make amends. Michael Olunga , Boniface Oluoch and skipper Musa Mohamed have also been called up

Goalkeepers: Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), Arnold Origi (Lillestroem SK) Ian Otieno (Posta Rangers) and David Okello (Sofapaka)

Defenders: Harun Shakava and Musa Mohamed (Gor Mahia), Edwin Wafula (AFC Leopards) Brian Birgen (Ulinzi Stars) Abdultiff Omar (Bandari FC), Omar Mbongi (Ulinzi Stars), David Ochieng’ (Unattached), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Dennis Odhiambo (Thika United).

Midfielders: Kevin Kimani, Humphrey Mieno (Tusker FC) John Ndirangu (Nakuru AllStars) John Nairuka and Kevin Amwayi (Ulinzi Stars), Ayub Timbe (Lierse SK, Belgium) Bernard Mang’oli (AFC Leopards) Victor Wanyama (Southampton, England) Anthony Akumu (Al Khartoum, Sudan) Johanna Omollo (Royal Antwerp, Belgium), Eric Johanna (Mathare United) Ali Abondo (Gor Mahia), Christian Bwamy (Follo FK, Norway), Clifton Miheso (Finland), Stephen Wakhanya, Meshack Karani (Chemelil Sugar).

Strikers: Calvince Omanga (Palos FC), Peter Nzuki (Nakumatt FC), Mark Bikokwa Baraza (Nzoia United), Chrispinus Onyango (KCB), Meshack Karani (Chemelil Sugar), Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia) and Allan Wanga (Azam FC, Tanzania).