Kenyan football giants Gor Mahia could once again find themselves in trouble with FIFA, as Tanzanian side Singida Black Stars threatens to escalate a disputed transfer deal. The club is demanding a refund of USD 40,000 (approx. Kshs. 5.17 million) after a failed move for defender Rooney Onyango.
Gor Mahia’s Transfer Dispute with Singida Black Stars
The controversy stems from an agreed transfer between the two clubs in November 2024. Singida had advanced Gor Mahia the transfer fee after sealing a deal to sign Onyango, a versatile Kenyan international. However, things took a different turn when the player refused to join the Tanzanian side, allegedly eyeing opportunities in Europe and Asia instead.
WE WANT OUR MONEY NOW:@singidabssc issues a 14 days demand notice to @OfficialGMFC to refund the USD 40,000 tranfer fee after Rooney Onyango’s move to Tanzania did not materialise or face FIFA action. pic.twitter.com/ZottbpYMrv
— Fred Arocho (@fred_arocho) January 30, 2025
With the Tanzanian transfer window closing, Singida found itself at a loss, unable to replace the player and demanding a full refund of the money paid. Despite their repeated efforts to resolve the issue amicably, Gor Mahia has reportedly ignored their requests, forcing Singida to consider reporting the matter to FIFA.
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Singida Issues Ultimatum: Refund or Face FIFA Action
A letter circulating on social media, reportedly from Singida Black Stars, outlines their final warning to Gor Mahia. The club first reached out on January 3, 2025, requesting the refund. However, they claim that Gor Mahia has failed to respond or return the funds.
The statement from Singida reads:
“Our Club wrote to your Club on 3.1.2025 requesting your club to kindly refund the said amount of USD 40,000 since the transfer did not materialize due to your fault.
It is unfortunate that to date we have not received any response to our letter nor have we received the refund.
In the same context, your club is given 14 days within which to pay the outstanding balance of 40,000 USD.
Failure to do so our club will refer the matter to FIFA for breach of our agreement.”
This ultimatum means Gor Mahia has until mid-February to refund the amount, or they will face FIFA intervention, which could lead to serious disciplinary actions, including potential transfer bans or fines.
Gor Mahia’s History with FIFA Sanctions
This is not the first time Gor Mahia has had disputes over player transfers or contract violations. The club has previously been involved in cases at the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber, often resulting in sanctions for failing to meet their contractual obligations.
In the past, Gor Mahia has been slapped with transfer bans after failing to compensate former foreign players. This latest transfer debacle could further tarnish the club’s reputation and affect their ability to sign players in future windows.
What This Means for Gor Mahia and Kenyan Football
The situation puts Gor Mahia in a precarious position. If Singida follows through with their FIFA complaint, the repercussions could be severe:
- Potential Transfer Ban – FIFA could restrict Gor Mahia from signing new players, weakening their squad depth.
- Financial Penalties – The club may face fines if found guilty of breaching contractual obligations.
- Damaged Reputation – Repeated FIFA cases could make sponsors and investors hesitant to engage with the club.
- Future Transfer Deals at Risk – Clubs may become reluctant to negotiate with Gor Mahia, fearing similar disputes.
At the moment, Gor Mahia’s silence on the matter raises concerns among their fans and the wider Kenyan football community. The club has yet to issue an official response, and attempts to contact both clubs have been unsuccessful.
However, with the 14-day deadline ticking, Gor Mahia must act fast to avoid FIFA intervention. Their best course of action would be to refund Singida or seek an amicable settlement before the matter escalates further.
