BY PETER KANJERE
Be Forward Wanderers seasoned striker, Peter Wadabwa, is still marketable on the international stage, as Egyptian Premier League side, El-Entag El-Harby Sporting Club, has—in unexpected move— reportedly invited him for trials.
Wanderers General Secretary, Mike Butao, Tuesday confirmed that the Cairo-based team has sent an invitation letter through Nigerian scout Oluwole Ara.
“They want him as soon as possible. All they are waiting for is our reaction. We are yet to respond as we have just received the letter, but we never stand in the way of our players,” Butao said.
Ara, who operates under Thunder Empire Sport Limited, yesterday asked to be called later.
Wadabwa Tuesday confirmed the development, saying: “It is now just a matter of processing a visa, once it is out, I will leave any day. I am confident that I will make it. Football is the same. It does not matter where you play.”
The duration of the trials, let alone how the Egyptian side spotted Wadabwa, remains unclear. El-Harby earned top-flight league promotion in 2009-10 season.
Ismail Youssef coaches the team whose base is Al-Salam Stadium. The club’s squad includes foreigners such as Abbas Amidu. Football standards in Egypt are so high compared to South Africa.
Wadabwa, who also played for Escom United (defunct) and Silver Strikers, returned home in 2015 after stints with Thanda Royal Zulu, Golden Arrows and Blackburn Rovers in South Africa.
The quick-heeled forward signed a two-year contract with Wanderers in 2016 after parting ways with Silver and exploded to life with vital goals. But he struggled last season due to injuries. He has three league goals in eight matches for the Nomads this season.
He was part of the Flames squad that qualified for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Angola, but is no longer part of the national team set-up.
Former Flames players, Fischer Kondowe and Elvis Kafoteka, were, at their peak, once linked with Egyptian teams such as Zamalek, but they did not sign any deal.
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