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The destination? To make his impending transfer official and etch his signature on the one-year permanent employment contract.
Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Alionzi Nafian is on the brink of sealing a transfer to Ethiopian Defence Forces, known in their domestic circuit as Mekelakeya SC.
Pulse Sports Uganda understands that the former URA goalkeeper took a flight late on Wednesday, heading straight to Ethiopia.
The destination? To make his impending transfer official and etch his signature on the one-year permanent employment contract.
Last week, Soccer Ethiopia football publication, Soccer Ethiopia confirmed Alionzi's signing, reporting: "Under a new coach, the team is looking forward to the next season and have signed their first player, goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi from Uganda."
This move comes after Nafian, who had been pivotal in guiding URA FC to a respectable fifth-place finish under coach Sam Timbe, decided to break free from his ties with the club with still six months left in his contract.
His impressive tally of 26 league appearances, accompanied by a remarkable phase in the second round, ensured that URA's defensive lines remained impenetrable.
However, the buzz around Nafian's next venture was not quiet. The rumour mill was in overdrive linking him with renowned clubs from the Ugandan Premier League and beyond.
Teams like KCCA FC, SC Villa, and even clubs from Egypt and Rwanda were reportedly in the chase. Yet, in a turn of events, Ethiopian Defence Forces emerged as his chosen destination.
Alionzi's reputation precedes him. In the last URA season, he recorded 12 clean sheets, just one short of the season's top goalkeeper, Simon Tamale.
This 27-year-old guardian of the goal has not only fortified URA's backline for the past six seasons but has also been a prominent figure in the dressing room, donning the captain's armband.
While URA FC bids adieu to their dependable goalkeeper, they have already sought reinforcements.
Former Express goalkeeper Denis Otim and Arua Hill SC's Rogers Omedwa are the latest inclusions in their goalkeeping roster, ensuring that the Tax Collectors remain a formidable force in the forthcoming season.
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