Nizar, Haroub leave for Whitecaps trials - The Citizen

By Majuto Omary

Two local players are leaving the country tomorrow for trials with North American champions Vancouver Whitecaps.

The two - Nadir 'Canavaro' Haroub of mainland champions Young Africans and Nizar Khalfan (Moro United) - will play their first match on July 9 against Toronto.

Mtibwa Sugar's Zahoro Pazi is also expected to join the two at Vancouver Whitecaps in two weeks time. He has stayed behind due to family commitments.

And Young Africans Abdulrazak Khalfan is heading to the US for professional trials with Miami.

LZ Enterprises deputy marketing manager Rahim Kangezi said yesterday travel arrangements for the players were complete.

The four were earlier scheduled to leave for the trials a fortnight ago, soon after the international friendly between Taifa Stars and New Zealand.

But, according to our source, they could not obtain visas, forcing them to travel to Nairobi, Kenya in search of the travel documents.

He said officials of the US team had already been informed of the delays. "According to a Whitecaps schedule, the players were required to join the US team on June 8, before trials begin the following day."

"Everything is now okay, what had also delayed their departure were official letters from Whitecaps, but it's all set," he said preferring not to be identified since he was not authorised to talk to the press.