Fufa dilemma

BY REUBEN OLITA IN NAIROBI & NORMAN KATENDE IN KAMPALA UGANDAN champions SC Villa have two weeks to know their fate of participating in next year's CECAFA club championships in Zanzibar if the ultimatum the regional body gave FUFA on Thursday was not met. Uganda and Kenya have up to January 11 to clear part or all the outstanding dues owed to the Council of East and Central Africa Football Association or their clubs are locked out of the event due to kick off February 17-March 4. In a terse statement issued in Nairobi, Cecafa chairman Farah Addo also slapped an indefinite ban on Sudan from all soccer activities for failing to communicate or even pay their dues " until they get reformed." Addo said Uganda Cranes were allowed to feature in the Senior Challenge Cup in Kigali after paying US $2000. “We agreed in the congress meeting that the balance ($9000) should be paid in installments. $9000 has to be raised within two weeks if the country has to be guaranteed a place in the Cecafa club cup draw,” Addo said. When contacted for comment, FUFA general secretary Haruna Mawanda said that they were yet to receive the communication but ruled out paying the money in the stated time. “It is impossible. We can not pay $9,000 within two weeks. I am really worried we might not beat the deadline,” said Mawanda. FUFA treasurer Patrick Isiagi declined to comment until after reading Addo’s letter. Villa secretary Luyimbazi Mugalu said that they will wait to move a step after FUFA has taken a decision. Last year, Villa was forced to pay some funds to take part in the Nairobi tournament. Kenya, Addo added, owed the Council $16000. “They too have to settle $5000 without delay if they have to be allowed to send defending champions Tusker and the country's representatives, Oserian Fastac for the event,” he warned. Addo, who is also the CAF vice President blamed Kenyan coach Reinhardt Fabisch for showing unsporting behaviour during the Senior Challenge Cup by removing his shirt even before President Paul Kagame. “This coach behaved like ‘a madman’ and the Council will not tolerate such behaviour from member countries in future events,” he said. Meanwhile, Kenyan Christians have urged for the Fabisch deportation back to German for dragging God's name in the game when he said on arrival that the country can hire God's services if they expect instant results.