Gor Mahia risk FIFA sanctions over failed Rooney Onyango transfer

The club issued another demand notice on Thursday, giving the Kenyan champions an ultimatum of 14 days to refund the funds failure to which they will escalate the matter with the world football governing body.

In a letter addressed to Gor Mahia CEO on January 29, 2025, Singida Black Stars lamented that despite multiple attempts seeking a resolution from Gor Mahia, the latter have steered clear of the matter.

The club alleges that they followed due process of enquiring about Onyango, formally expressing interest through a transfer letter sent to Gor Mahia on November 12, 2024 to which the Kenyan side reportedly accepted the offer and agreed to the $40,000 transfer fee.

After paying the amount using Gor’s bank account details the transfer did not materialize.

“On the 14.11.2024, you replied to our request and stated your acceptance of our offer and agreed to USD 40,000 being the transfer fees of the said player.

“On the 15.11.2024, our Club transferred the agreed amount to your Club through the account you provided to us for the transactions,” read part of the letter.

Singida, currently fourth in the Tanzanian league standings, first wrote to Gor Mahia over the aborted transfer on January 3, 2025, demanding a refund of the money but the Kenyan giants remained silent.

“In the same context, your club is given 14 days within which to pay all the outstanding balance of $40,000. Failure to do so, our club will refer the matter to FIFA for breach of agreement.”

When Citizen Digital reached Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier over the issue on January 9, he denied reports linking the defender with a move to Tanzania.

According to Rachier, neither Onyango nor Singida Black Stars had contacted his office over the same.

“I’m not aware of any deal between Rooney and Singida. Neither Rooney nor Singida has contacted my office in regard to any transfer deal,’’ said Rachier then.

The long serving chairman said he would however be interested to know if there had been any underground deal.

“‘This is news to me. We have not received any money from Singida and allegations that we are under pressure to return their money is malicious,” he added.

Onyango has been outstanding in the Gor Mahia defence ever since joining from Wazito FC, now Muhoroni Youth in 2022 and has since been a cog in the club’s defence.