Racism and delays in payment forced Kenyan striker Lewis Shivachi to terminate his contract with Albanian second-tier side KF Apolonia Fier barely four months after he had signed a year-long deal.Shivachi ditched Posta Rangers for Apolinia in January alongside compatriots; Kevin Wangaya and Kevin ‘Taiwo’ Owino, who were recruited from Kariobangi Sharks and Kibera Black Stars, respectively.The striker, however, did not last at the club, as he terminated his deal just four months later and quietly returned to Kenya.##NAJAVA_MECA_8298069##He boarded the plane back home alongside Taiwo while Wangaya remained put as he was placed in the club’s U19 team, unlike his compatriots who featured for the senior one.In an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport, Shivachi, who has since rejoined Posta, alleged that Apolonia dumped him in a dingy clubhouse upon arrival and had to deal with incessant delays in monthly salaries.What made his brief stay in Albania more uncomfortable was the discrimination he alleged to have suffered on and off the pitch.“I arrived in Albania full of expectations and ready to start the next phase of my career, but that didn’t happen. The conditions in the clubhouse that hosted us were deplorable, but I had to persevere with hopes of moving out later. However, getting payments on time was an issue, although I appreciate that the club cleared the money owed later. On top of that, I was a victim of racism, especially off the pitch. I couldn’t bear it anymore, and thus, I decided to return home,” he narrated.AFC Leopards winger flies out for trial opportunity with Serbian clubThe 23-year-old was in pain narrating how black players would easily be faulted in case of a loss and would be punished at the slightest mistake.“Black players were not allowed to make mistakes at all, unlike the local ones. You could easily see how uncomfortable they were around black players in the team bus, training, or any other activity that would bring us together,” he opened up.The former Kiambiu Warriors forward further alleged that the standards of the Albanian second tier fell way beyond his expectations.Shivachi, who played a paltry six matches for the club, interestingly said the Kenyan top tier was way tougher and more competitive than the Albanian second tier.“I had expectations of playing in a tougher league and marketing myself to bigger European clubs. Unfortunately, with all due respect, their league isn’t as intense and competitive as the Kenyan one,” he claimed.Lorna Nyabuto reveals how racism, delayed payments forced her to flee Albanian clubCases of Albanian clubs failing to meet contractual obligations to Kenyan players are not new as a number of players have fallen victim.In July, Harambee Starlets midfielder Lorna Nyabuto cited racism and late payments for her exit from the Apolonia women’s team.Midfielders Kenneth Muguna and Francis Kahata, as well as defender Musa Mohammed, have previously suffered similar ordeals at FK Tirana.Despite the failed stint in Albania, Shivachi, an Eastleigh High School alumnus, is far from giving up on his bid for professional football.The former Ligi Ndogo man hopes that the performance he will put in at Posta this season will procure him better opportunities.
