Kibwage longing for FKF PL return after more than a season in the cold

After being locked out of action for more than a season, former KCB captain Michael Kibwage says he is open to receiving offers as he seeks to return to competitive football next season.

The central defender last tasted league action in June last year before a pay dispute pitting him and his employer, Sofapaka laid a massive hurdle in his bid to exit the club and play elsewhere in the past season.

Kibwage, sensationally declared himself a free agent last year, eliciting an angry reaction from Sofapaka who demoted him to the club's youth team and further, fined him Ksh 250 000 for highlighting his plight in various media outlets.

The defender took the decision to announce his departure from the club owing to the delayed salaries but Sofapaka who had broken the bank to win his signature reacted by kicking him out of the first team and added a fine on top of it.

The fall out was escalated to the Player Status Committee wing of the Football Kenya Federation and the Sports Disputes Tribunal, with orders restraining the player from switching allegiance ultimately locking him out of action for the whole of last season.

At some point, Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa asked the former national U23 centre back to return part of the sign on fee and ask for forgiveness for him to secure his release, but that never came to pass.

Kibwage who tried to force his way to Bidco at the start of the concluded season now alleges that he is free to listen to offers once his two-year long contract with Sofapaka elapses next month.

"I am ready to play in the top flight again again after a long time out. I have less than two months remaining in my contract with Sofapaka and therefore, I am ready to take up employment elsewhere. The good thing is I have offers and it is just a matter of time time before I return," he said.

Sofapaka's outrageous demands to wantaway Kibwage

Asked on how he managed to cope up with the lengthy spell of inaction, the former AFC Leopards man said the fighting spirit in him kept him going despite the challenge posing the danger of halting his career prematurely.

" I was and still continue to be strong mentally. Losing hope has never crossed my mind. I have been training and playing test matches that have helped me remain fit ,"he added.