Abedi Mulenda is free to play for Atraco in this year’s Cecafa Club Championship, Times Sport after the local football federation pardoned star striker yesterday.

The DR Congo born striker, who has been serving a one-year ban after breaching Ferwafa rules, was cleared to feature in the regional championship. 

Mulenda, who was contracted to Atraco at the time, signed a two-year contract with rivals Rayon Sport and was instantly banned by the local football governing body.

On paper, the ban was supposed to end with the climax of the national football league on June 28. However, after rescheduling the league climax to July 21 in an effort to pave way for Amavubi Stars preparations for the 2010 World/Africa Nations Cup, Atraco appealed to Ferwafa to reconsider their decision.

That request was granted yesterday when Ferwafa disclosed on their website that the striker was free to feature in the upcoming Kagame Cup but still ineligible to play the MTN Amahoro Peace cup and Atraco’s remaining league matches.

Atraco head coach Sam Timbe was not available for a comment by press time but his assistant Emmanuel Ruremesh welcomed the news, saying the striker’s availability will give them further options in search for goals.

"It is good that they have accepted our request. We now have to focus on the Kagame Cup,” Ruremesh said.

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