Harambee Stars defender Dennis Ng’ang’a has reported Zambian club Zanaco FC to FIFA’s Players’ Status Committee, demanding full payment for the remainder of his 18-month contract after terminating the deal under just cause.Trouble started when Zanaco, in an effort to meet the foreign quota, registered a different player in place of Ng’ang’a just before the season began. This decision came only two months after he had signed a new contract in July, binding him to the club until 2026.##NAJAVA_MECA_8449361##Prior to his de-registration, Ng’ang’a had a challenging pre-season due to an injury sustained while on club duty. He claims the club failed to provide medical treatment for the injury, which eventually led to his exclusion from the squad for the season.”They did not treat me. I was injured, and they decided to ignore me completely. I didn’t have a proper pre-season, and I think that’s why they deregistered me. It was unfortunate, but there was little I could do. The decision was theirs, and now we let the legal system take its course,” he explained.##NAJAVA_MECA_8457039##Through his Turkish lawyer, Yakub Kizilkaya, Ng’ang’a initiated the contract termination via FIFA’s Players’ Status Committee, citing jurisprudence from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and FIFA.”The issue of just cause may also occur when players are deregistered or not registered to play for their clubs. This often happens when a club has used up its foreign player quota but wishes to register a new foreign player. To do this, the club deregisters an existing foreign player without terminating the contract,” read part of the lawyer’s submissions.”The jurisprudence provides that the player generally has just cause to terminate their contract in such cases.”Tactical Analysis: How Mathare United’s tweak delivered victory against FC TalantaNg’ang’a had joined Zanaco as a free agent before the start of last season, following a successful stint with Gor Mahia, where he had been one of the top defenders in the 2022-23 season.After being linked with several local clubs, he opted to sign with Zanaco. His impressive form earned him a recall to the national team, Harambee Stars, before suffering the injury in March that the club failed to address, marking the start of his troubles.”The way they handled the situation was inhumane and unprofessional. I never imagined a club would deregister me without notice or informing me that I was surplus to requirements. It really took a toll on me,” Ng’ang’a told Mozzart Sport.The defender believes they followed the correct procedures in terminating the contract and expects Zanaco to be ordered to pay all his dues. While he declined to specify the exact amount, Mozzart Sport understands the figure could be around Ksh5 million, potentially higher with penalties and interest.Kenyan ambassador honoured by Michael Olunga’s club in Qatar”I don’t want to go into the figures, but it’s a substantial amount—my 18-month salary, which was the remainder of my contract. I hope they do the honourable thing and pay what they owe so we can put this matter behind us,” he added.What frustrates Ng’ang’a the most is the missed opportunity to join an unnamed club in Asia. He describes it as a “life-changing” deal, but Zanaco blocked the move just three months before deregistering him.”I had a very lucrative offer from a team in Asia. They had sent me a ticket, processed my visa, and all that was left was for me to travel, but Zanaco decided otherwise. A few months later, they realized I wasn’t good enough to play for them. It’s shocking,” he lamented.Despite the ordeal, Ng’ang’a remains optimistic about his future in football and is eager to get back on the field.”I still have many good years ahead of me. I’m not quitting yet. I just want this case resolved so I can focus on my next club and enjoy playing again,” he concluded.Ng’ang’a has previously played for Nairobi City Stars, Tusker FC, KCB FC, Wazito FC, and Gor Mahia.Gor Mahia fans force captain to apologise after first defeat of season [VIDEO]
