Pietà Hotspurs sever ties with Okonkwo

Digger Okonkwo may have played his last match for Pietà Hotspurs after he was suspended indefinitely by the Premier League club on Wednesday.

The decision by the Pietà committee to suspend the Nigerian-born Okonkwo from all club activities was made in the wake of their side's 2-0 slip-up to Balzan Youths last Sunday at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

Contacted by The Times yesterday, Edward Schembri, president of Pietà Hotspurs, cited disciplinary measures as the reason for Okonkwo's indefinite suspension.

"The committee has decided that Digger Okonkwo be banned from all club activities. The player has been told to find a new club," Schembri said.

Okonkwo, 26, was in his third season with the Hotspurs whom he joined from Naxxar Lions before the start of season 2001-2002 in a two-player deal that also involved compatriot Chris Okoh.

"I was shocked when the president told me that they did not require my services anymore," Okonkwo, who was granted Maltese citizenship a few years back, said.

"I am very disappointed because I never expected this from Pietà. To be fair, Edward Schembri, the president, has always been kind to me, but during my three years with the club, I have seen many players leave in similar circumstances."

According to Okonkwo, news of his break-up with Pietà travelled quickly as representatives of two other clubs have already got in contact with him. "I received phone calls from two people connected with other clubs but I told them I need time to reflect on my position. I still have to get over this before I can look to the future.

"My time with Pietà has been marked by these ups and downs but I must say that I enjoyed my time with Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia. He was the reason why I stayed with the club and I think I have played the best football of my career under his guidance," Okonkwo said.

Last week, Pietà parted company with Cameroon striker Fransis Omam after the latter sustained a fresh hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw against Msida St Joseph two weeks ago.

The premature termination of Omam's contract has created a vacancy for another foreign player.

Alexander Simoncic, a Serbian left-footed midfielder, has been training with Farrugia's squad for the past 10 days but Pietà, positioned fourth in the Premier League standings, will not pursue interest in the player after their request for his international clearance certificate was refused by the Football Association of Serbia and Montenegro.

Simoncic was expected to turn out for the Hotspurs in this evening's friendly match against visiting Dutch team Heerenveen at the Hibernians Ground.

Their plans to have a proper look at their trialist in a match had to be scrapped after Pietà were informed by the Serbia FA that the 26-year-old Simoncic is still bound by a contract to another club in his home country.

The Pietà president said that they will be weighing up all options before deciding on their third foreign player.

A Brazilian offensive player, known as Reginaldo, is believed to be the favourite to become Pietà's third foreign player but Farrugia will also assess an 18-year-old Nigerian striker in this evening's match.

Pace, Fenech interest

Schembri also revealed that Pietà have officially declared an interest in Valletta duo Sharlon Pace and Keith Fenech.

Pace enjoyed a successful one-year loan spell with the Hotspurs last season but rejoined Valletta before the start of the 2003-2004 campaign.

The 27-year-old Fenech signed for the Citizens last season after the end of his loan stint with Birkirkara but after a positive first year, his first-team opportunities have diminished significantly since Atanas Marinov took over from Dennis Fenech as Valletta's head coach.

Fenech has also been linked with a return to Birkirkara but preliminary talks between the latter and Valletta seem to have stalled.

Sources said that Fenech fancies a move away from Valletta to relaunch his career.