Former Kakamega Homeboyz defensive midfielder Festus Omukoto has welcomed with open hands an end to his four-year ban imposed by FIFA over alleged involvement in match manipulation.Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) had in February 2020 banned Omukoto alongside his former teammates at Kakamega Moses Chikati and Festus Okiring from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level (administrative, sports, or any other) for four years, while Ugandan George Mandela was handed a lifetime ban from all football-related activities.##NAJAVA_MECA_7862581##However, after serving the suspensions imposed on them, On February 4th,2024, the trio were cleared to resume their football careers and Omukoto, a graduate of Aspire Soccer Academy in Qatar is rearing to get back on the green grass.In an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport, the former Tusker man expressed happiness in being a free man as he gets the needed freedom to get back to doing what he does best.“It’s really good to see that FIFA has freed us at last,” said an upbeat Omukoto.“This is positive news in that it now provides a chance to be involved in some form of training and taking part in any league both locally and internationally,” he added.“And in a sense with now being back, it feels like I have been liberated again because I believe sports, and in particular football has a way of making such a positive impact on a person and I have learned my way,” offered Omukoto who previously had a stint at Sofapaka.Match-fixing: Real culprits still active, says banned playerOmukoto, who declined to open up on the lessons picked during the suspension stated that he is fully focused on getting back on track though will have to wait until the conclusion of the season to make a move.Initially, he was tipped with a move to National Super League (NSL) promotion-chasing side Mara Sugar though a delayed communique from the world governing body derailed the move with the club focusing on other targets.“I want to play again, though the wait will be a bit longer since the window is closed but soon I will make the big return,” he said.Relief for Kakamega Homeboyz after grabbing the first win of the yearFesto who in a previous interview admitted to knowing that there was match-fixing going on at Kakamega Homeboyz, but denied partaking in the vice, without mincing words, warned the upcoming crop of players about involvement in the vice claiming that it would bring their careers to an abrupt end.
