Controversy has overshadowed the botched transfer of star striker, Gambo Mohammed from Kano Pillars to an Vietnamese Premier league club, Song Lam Nghe An FC as the player and his agent engage in blame game.
The Kano Pillars striker attacker, who traveled out of the country in a bid to seal a move to the Vietnamese side, is back in Nigeria following the collapse of the transfer. And he is blaming his ordeal on Mr. Edwin Nwafor, the agent who masterminded the deal.
“I was told the visa would be issued at point of entry on payment of $30 or $50. You know Vietnam doesn’t have embassy here in Nigeria. But when I got there at Istanbul airport, I was denied passage to Vietnam”, the former Super Eagles striker claimed.
Gambo further shared the story of his sufferings at Istanbul on his way to Vietnam. “I boarded Turkish Airline and when we landed at Instanbul, I was not allowed to proceed to Vietnam. I slept at the airport for four days, without food, it was difficult.
“Worst of it all was that even when I came back late Monday night or Tuesday morning, I lost my bag containing five pairs of boots, clothes and other items.
“When I contacted officials of the airline, they gave me a form to fill which I did but I’m yet to hear from them.”
According to the frustrated player, the UK-based agent failed to tidy up the deal well. “He handled this transaction directly with my club, Kano Pillars, and this is the outcome”, Gambo argued.
Mr. Nwafor, however, disagreed with the player over the failed Vietnam transfer deal, insisting that every necessary logistics for Gambo to seal the move was in place before he jetted out of the country. According to him, Gambo could not have been allowed to board flight from Kano without a visa to enter Vietnam.
“How will he leave Nigeria without a visa? The visa for Vietnam is a cable visa and Gambo’s name was No.9 of several other people. Vietnam confirmed the visa to the officials in Turkey,” claimed Nwafor.
“I paid $500 for his visa and I will now demand a refund after what happened. I don’t know what’s wrong with the boy, every time he changes his mind about playing overseas,” he added.
By Olisemeka Obeche