Dogo still hopeful despite botched Maccabi dream

Harambee Starlets striker Mwanahalima ‘Dogo’ Adam has admitted she still regrets how the dream to play professional football with Israeli side Maccabi Holon went up in smoke after the deal collapsed in the last minute.

The Thika Queens goal poacher had sealed a six-month loan deal with the club, which takes part in the country’s Women Premier League, last December but her stay lasted only few weeks before she was released alongside other foreign players, after the club failed to obtain the International Transfer Certificate (ITC) from the respective countries.

The ITC is a certificate provided from one national association to another to facilitate the transfer of a player between countries.

According to the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, all players should obtain an ITC where the immediately preceding registration was with a national association other than the national association in which the player is registering.

Lowest moments

In an exclusive interview with Citizen Digital, the St. John’s Girls’ alumnus said those were the lowest moments for her but was quick to express her optimism that she will land another lucrative deal, soon.

“I landed the deal through my agent but upon the arrival, the club told me they had not received the ITC  from Kenya something which made my stay there difficult and I had no option but to come back.’’

She added: “I really felt let down, I cried for sometime because I couldn’t imagine that golden chance had disappeared and was not my individual fault.’’

The foreign club had agreed earlier to give the striker a six-month loan deal with an opportunity to extend her stay depending on how she would have performed.

That was not the first time for the striker to lose a golden opportunity. In February, 2020 she reached a deal with a Swedish top flight side Djurgardens IF DFF but it fell through after the Swedish embassy reportedly twice denied her a visa.

“I didn’t really know what happened because I first applied for a visa but the embassy declined. The club (Djurgardens IF DFF) had sent ‘uncountable’ mails to them requesting for a visa something which I think angered them thus making it hard for me to travel.”

He went on: “I didn’t lose hope rather I decided to make a second attempt but this time around I was told that I had low bank balance hence making me ineligible to get a visa. I really felt low for sure being that it was my first chance to play in Europe.”

Despite the setbacks, Dogo who reunited with her club Thika Queens is optimistic that she will one day fulfil her dream of playing professional.

“In my life I don’t believe in failure, I always believe that God has a reason for everything. I’m now back at my club and so far I have helped them to top the Kenya Women Premier League (KWPL) Zone ‘A’ standings this season.

“I will continue showcasing my talented as I pray hard for another opportunity to come though. I believe my dream is valid and one day I will shine abroad like other players because my aim is to be professional footballer,’’ said the 2016 Sports Personality of the Year Award (SOYA) winner.

The striker will be hoping to help his club defeat Ulinzi Starlets this Sunday as both teams will be locking horns at the Thika Stadium as the league enters its second round.

 

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Thika Queens Mwanahalima 'Dogo' Adam ITC Macabbi Holon

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