Niger Tornadoes, Kastina United at "war" over players' transfer

Niger Tornadoes, Kastina United at "war" over players' transfer By Amaechi Agbo Two NPFL sides, Niger Tornadoes and Katsina United are on each others jugular following the "signing" of two players, Tasiu Lawal and Tsawanya Samuel from the latter by the former in violation of NPFL and FIFA transfer statutes, Bestchoicesports can report. Niger Tornadoes announced yesterday through its media officer, Taye Felele that they had secured the services of two "former" Kastina United players Tasiu Lawal and Tsawanya Samuel with pictures of the two players signing the contract papers splashed across social media platforms. Kastina United early this morning debunked the "rumour" and said they did not discuss any transfer deals with any club neither Niger Tornadoes with regards to their players. Findings by Bestchoicesports show that indeed Niger Tornadoes signed the two players in question but the transfer was done in flagrant disregard to established laws guiding players switch of allegiance in the NPFL. Tasiu Lawal and Tsawanya Samuel according to Katsina United's media officer, Oyekanmi Oyewale, are still under the employment of Katsina United based on their contracts' terms. While Tsawanya's contract runs till 2020, that of Tasiu ends at the end of the current season. However, it was understood that the pair have been AWOL (absent without leave) from the club since two weeks. This, Bestchoicesports understands, is not unconnected with 4 months salary arears owed the players by Katsina United. It was while they were away from duties without the club's knowledge that made Niger Tornadoes to go for their services via their agent. According to Felele, "the agent of both players informed Niger Tornadoes that the players have decided to leave the club due to Katsina United nonpayment of 4 months salary "The agent of the players contacted Katsina united on behalf of Niger Tornadoes," he said in response to questions on the legality of the reported transfer in BSN Sports Whatsapp Page. On his part, Katsina United image maker, Oyekanmi Oyewale said that no transfer involving the two clubs took place. "They wrote a baseless story that they have signed two of our players and we reacted because we have not established any transfer contact with them regarding the two players. The two players still have running contracts with Katsina United. "Which still make them the property of Katsina United. I think it is very unprofessional for a so called professional club to announce the signing of players that you have not cleared "Tsawanya has contract with Katsina United until 2020 and Tasiu till the end of 2019 season," he said in a chat with Bestchoicesports.