SOCCER: Sadiki staying put in DRC despite political unrest

08 Feb, 2015 - 00:02 0 Views
SOCCER: Sadiki staying put in DRC despite political unrest Ali Sadiki

The Sunday Mail

Ali Sadiki

Ali Sadiki

ZIMBABWEAN football players plying their trade in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s top-flight league are on high alert as fears are abound that the political unrest that has hit the capital Kinshasa in recent weeks might spread to the other parts of the war-prone country.

There have been clashes between opposition protesters and security forces on the streets of Kinshasa while in the eastern parts of the country war between the government troops and Rwandan rebels is looming.

Kinshasa is over a thousand kilometres away from Lubumbashi where four Zimbabwean players — Ali Sadiki, Carrington Gomba, Chris Semakweri and Darryl Nyandoro — are plying their trade.

Unconfirmed reports, however, claim that the duo of Semakweri and Nyandoro, who are listed as players for top flight side Don Bosco, left the DRC.

The Sunday Mail managed to speak to former Gunners and FC Platinum midfielder Ali Sadiki, who turns out for cash-rich champions TP Mazembe.

Internet and telephone connections are currently erratic in the areas surrounding Kinshasa and getting in touch with Sadiki proved to be a hassle.

“Communication has been a bit of a problem since these disturbances started, but I have been able to talk to my family back home updating them about the situation.

“As for now, where I am staying in Lubumbashi, peace still prevails, but I am praying the disturbances do not spread to this area.

“I am safe, but you never know what might happen next. If the political disturbances spread to Lubumbashi, I am afraid I will have to pack my bags and come back home,” said Sadiki, who also revealed that the club is in possession of his travel documents.

“It is the procedure, I guess; once you get here the club seizes your travel documents and keeps them. The purpose I do not know.”

Sadiki says he is always in constant contact with former Hwange and Dynamos gangly linkman Gomba, who turns out for fellow top-flight club and fifth-placed Don Bosco, also of Lubumbashi.

“We always talk if we have the chance and I can say for now we are safe. I feel there should be no need to panic at the moment,” said Sadiki.

Aside from the political instability, the talented left footer is enjoying his stay at probably the best-run professional club in sub-Saharan Africa.

TP Mazembe currently tops the DRC top-flight league table after nine rounds of action although action has been paused due to the ongoing African Nations Cup finals in Equatorial Guinea.

“I have played in all the games so far this season, getting onto the score sheet twice. Although life in general is a bit different from back home, I think I have adjusted now and am looking forward to the resumption of the league,” said the 27-year-old Sadiki, who penned a three-year contract with the Congolese giants in May last year.

TP Mazembe are home to veteran pony-tailed national team goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba (39), who led the DRC to the semi finals of the 2015 Afcon edition and was the most experienced player at the competition that ends tonight.

“Kidiaba is a very important player; apart from pulling off some breathtaking saves he has this brotherly touch. He has seen it all in African football and we always learn one or two tricks from him,” said Sadiki.

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