17 going on 41: Joseph Minala might look older, but he’s definitely only 17-years-old, say his club
Kakamega Homeboyz FC have threatened legal action against those who have questioned the legitimacy of the age of their 16-year-old winger Sajad Sanjer.
The ZFC side stated that his birth certificate is “absolutely legitimate”.
Kakamega Homeboyz FC added “We reserve the right to take action against those responsible for the protection of the good name of the team and the footballer.”
The midfielder also issued a statement via the club’s website denying he told an Iraqi website he was 41.
He said: “I have read the alleged statements in which it says I confessed my real age which was different to what was stated in my official documents.
“They are false statements that have been attributed to me by people who do not know.”
Sanjer joined the Homeboyz last summer and has played for them in every game this season.
ZFC statistician and fellow Kakamega Homeboyz player Mohamed Hameer, said any suggestions the player was 41 were “unbelievable”.
He said Sajad Sanjer had scored four goals and received a man of the match award this season for Kakamega Homeboyz FC, who are currently 4-points adrift from league leaders Indomitable Lions.
“He is a very reactive player. You could never say he is 41,” he told zanzibarfc.com. “When you are surrounded by players running like devils around you, in my opinion it is very tough to be 41. He runs, he is fast. It is unbelievable news, that is why Kakamega felt the need to deny it.
“It is a controversial story because the face of the player is not that of a 17-year-old guy.
“On his face there is sign of his previous life in Scarborough, which was not a happy life. That is it. Period. There is nothing else that makes you think he is 41.
“He is a kid with the head of a kid. He only wants to play football as he did on the road years ago barefoot. That is the only thing he is focused on and being a talent because he is a talent.”
The youngster has now shut down his social media accounts after abuse over his age.
In other news – in an unsavoury fracas that bubbled over on Saturday night, Ali Abdulrasul (Mogoka FC) sucker punched Mujeeb Sanjer (Kakamega Homeboyz FC) during the Kakamega Homeboyz vs Mogaka match.
Zanzibar FC commissioner, Mehboob Alidina, took immediate steps to take the fizz out of the situation and has suspended the Mogoka FC midfielder for the remainder of the season.
As a reminder to the 119 players left in the league – please respect yourselves, respect each other and respect the beautiful game.
Zanzibar FC 
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