Former Nairobi City Stars striker David Agesa recently returned to Kenya with a tale of deceit and broken promises after being conned by a fake football agent in Malaysia.
At 27, Agesa had high hopes of a lucrative deal with a top-flight Malaysian side, but instead, he found himself stranded in Kuala Lumpur with nothing but an empty promise.
Agesa’s unfortunate saga began when he was introduced to an Ivorian agent through his former coach in Kenya. The coach, who was familiar with Agesa’s capabilities, played a pivotal role in connecting him with the agent.
Despite the initial excitement and what appeared to be a legitimate opportunity, Agesa’s dreams quickly turned into a nightmare.
“Everything was agreed upon, and we discussed the formalities. I was to get a lucrative contract with a top-tier side in Malaysia. We proceeded, and I received the invitation from the agency, which is located in Malaysia. So from then, we had to process the flight ticket, which I had to process myself again. I had to pay to the agent a service fee for the services that I had to get direct signing to the club,” Agesa narrated to Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA)
Upon arriving at the Malaysia airport, Agesa found himself in a bewildering situation. Despite assurances from the agent, there was no one to receive him. Frustrated and left waiting until midnight, he eventually had to find a hotel to stay in. As days turned into weeks and months, Agesa remained in Malaysia, with the promised opportunity slipping further away
“As I was waiting, the more I stayed, it came to my notice that something is amiss. It became a stressful situation, and they tried to go to the embassy, but there was not much on their side. But KEFWA came through and organized everything. They organized for my way back. I urge players out there to know true and fake agents,” he continued.
A product of Kaimosi High School, Agesa garnered attention from clubs abroad, with a potential move to Baridhara FC in Bangladesh on the horizon. However, this dream now seems distant after the setback in Malaysia.
Before the ill-fated move, Agesa had already ventured into international football, having a stint with Revengers FC in Seychelles. His skills were once showcased on the fields of Nairobi City Stars, a club that may be defunct but still holds memories of Agesa’s significant contributions.
In the wake of this unfortunate incident, Agesa issues a cautionary message to fellow players, advising them to be wary of both the allure and pitfalls associated with agents.
The footballer warning comes as a reminder of the need for vigilance and thorough verification in dealing with individuals who promise lucrative deals in the world of sports.
