Ricardo Badoer, the Dubai-based Swedish investor who owned Wazito FC has sold it to Kisumu-based engineer, Joel Odongo, setting a new phase for the club.
The acquisition is the third time the club is changing ownership, with Ricardo having bought it from Solomon Alubala, who was its founder.
Confirming the acquisition, Ricardo said “Wazito FC can now continue with what we have built in the last 4 years but with new hands on the helm. I wish them all the best!”
Wazito FC can now continue with what we have built in the last 4 years but with new hands on the helm . I wish them all the best! https://t.co/Xt3m7iBfZP
— Ricardo Badoer (@Donrico77) September 9, 2022
The move to sell the club was informed by a legal tussle in which Alubala has sued Ricardo for defamation and went ahead to get the court to freeze his bank accounts, a move that crippled Ricardo’s ability to facilitate the club.
The acquisition now means that the club will be based in Kisumu, away from Nairobi.
None of the parties involved has however revealed the transaction amount. It is believed that the acquisition did not involve the club’s bus.
Ricardo will retain the bus and will now focus on his pet project, Kasi Kasi FC, a junior team he expected to be the feeder club for Wazito and nurture talent for the future.
Club officials CEO Dennis Gicheru and head of security Paul Kaikai will be moving to Kasi Kasi and will continue to work with Ricardo with other investment interests in the country.
Early in August, the club through a press release said that the state of football in the country has pushed investors away and as such, they have pulled out of the new season set to start next month.
“We can confirm that we will not be taking part in next season’s Football Kenya Federation Premier League until the confusion surrounding football in the country is resolved,” Wazito said in a statement.
It added that the push and pull in the game has made it difficult for investors to pump money into the game and it is their hope that the issue is resolved as soon as possible.
