The ownership impasse between Warri Wolves and Enugu Rangers for African Cup of Nations hero, Sunday Mba, is deepening as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), through an ad-hoc committee, has ruled that Mba still has a contract with Warri Wolves. Consequently, his preferred club, Enugu Rangers, will have to cough out a transfer fee agreed by both parties for the star player.

Wolves are demanding for 12 million naira (about $75,000) and Rangers have since reacted that they are still studying the offer.

While this battle continues, it is the promising career of Mba that has been put on hold. Mba was a complete shadow of himself during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kenya in Calabar last month.

As it is now, he has yet to play club football in Nigeria several weeks after his goal won Nigeria a third AFCON title in Johannesburg, South Africa in January.

Reports have also suggested that overseas clubs who have shown interest in the player are gradually pulling out of negotiations because they do not know which club they should actually be doing business with.

What is even more worrisome is that both Rangers and Warri Wolves do not appear to be willing to soft pedal.

Nigeria’s goalkeeper trainer Ike Shorunmu told MTNFootball.com that the row had been detrimental to the player’s career. "I am urging and pleading with both clubs (Rangers and Warri Wolves) to settle the case and allow Sunday (Mba) concentrate on his career,” said Shorunmu, himself a former international star.

“What is happening is not good for his career. I don't really know what transpired between the clubs on Sunday's transfer, they know. I want them to consider the boy’s career and settle it in time. It is taking the toll on him already."

Tijjani Babangida has also added his voice to the debate. "This is not a small issue. It is affecting his career in a big way. His mind is not settled and that is a big problem for player to perform. But since it involves Nigerian league teams, the NFF are to blame because they don't have rule that protects players and at the same time help their clubs to get more money,” Babangida argued.

“NFF knows players sign a year or a season deal with these clubs. So, when the season finishes, this player should not belong to this club because the contract he signed with them has ended. So, when he wants to join a new team, NFF or the league board will ask him to bring a clearance from his previous club, which ought not to be.

“The clubs should be encouraged to sign a player for more than a year then when he is going before his contract has expired, you could then ask for money.

He added: “This case should not have got to this level because they know Mba signed a year’s deal at every club he had played.

“I urge Mba’s agent to take this case to court so that his player could be free and his career will be saved.”

The NFF must as a matter of urgency make a definitive ruling on this case this week to ensure Mba is back playing football.

“This problem should be resolved once and for all by the NFF. It’s the lack of clear rules regarding players’ contracts that is causing this problem. The boy should ask the NFF to save his career and not allowing the clubs to mess him up,” urged ex-international Jonathan Akpoborie.

“If they cannot, maybe, the Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi should wade into the matter to save a promising career from hitting the rocks.”

Source:www.soccerstarng.mobi/story_display_page.php?cover_story_id=666