Isma Watenga: Ex-Sofapaka Goalkeeper Rubbishes Match Fixing Claims

Former Sofapaka goalkeeper Isma Watenga has denied saying that he left the Kenyan Premier League outfit due to match-fixing.

The Ugandan was attributed to quotes that suggested that match-fixing agents approached him to give away matches at the beginning of the 2019/20 season.

“That is not true, the claims are unfounded,” Watenga was quoted by Uganda portal Football 256.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “I asked to leave Sofapaka because I thought in the January transfer window something better was coming up, unfortunately, they released me, because it was part of the initial plan.   [/perfectpullquote]

“So, for anyone to claim that I left because I did not want to fix matches is very wrong and damaging especially since it is not true.”

The custodian has insisted the 2009-league champions are run professionally and he gave his best while at the club.

“At Sofapaka I worked with very professional people who loved their team and despite the challenges like elsewhere they also tried their level best to help the team win,” he added.

Watenga joined Soafapaka in September 2019 from Ethiopia Buna FC but was dropped in January after club owner Elly Kalekwa believed some players were involved in throwing games.

The 25-year-old Watenga allegedly made the allegations in an interview with a section of Ugandan press where he was quoted saying that some match agents offered him a $20,000 bribe to throw away matches.

The two-time Ugandan Premier League (UPL) winner with Vipers SC, has been linked with a move to Premier Soccer League side Mamelodi Sundowns.