Egyptian side Ismailia have reluctantly agreed to de-register three Kenyan international players who were fraudulently released by an official of their native association who has since been suspended.

On the eve of their arrival in South Africa to tackle Kaizer Chiefs in the

quarterfinals of the African Cup Winners Cup now known as the Nelson

Mandela Cup, Fifa ruled that Simeone Mulama, Isaiah Omondi and Pascal

Ochieng who all played for crack Kenyan side Mathare United had been

released on fraudulent international certificates when signed by Ismailly.

Their club Mathare United complained to Fifa that Ismailia had signed the

players without their knowledge and no one from the Egyptian side had

negotiated for their services.

The Kenyan Football federation also launched their separate investigation

and accusing fingers pointed at deputy secretary Dan Muranga, who was

suspended indefinitely from all football activities for his involvement in

the transfer and clearance of the three players.

"Fifa regulations do not allow an official of the national association to

enter into direct negotiations with a club on the subject of the transfer of

a player," said the KFF chairman Maina Karuiki.

And Mathare United president Bob Munro publicly claimed the KFF had helped

Ismailia in the "secret" transfer of his three players. Following the

intervention of Fifa, the transfer of the players were cancelled and

Ismailia ordered to enter into fresh negotiations with Mathare United.

The decision was a huge blow to Ismailia coach Mohsen Saleh who is

rebuilding the team after putting 13 players on transfer. He looked at the

Kenyans as the spine of the new team he was building and the trio have

already featured in pre-season friendly matches and acquitted themselves

excellently.

As part of their rebuilding plan in preparations for the new season,

Ismailia defeated Second Division side Dina Farms 3-0 and caused a stir when

they lowered the colours of defending champions Al Ahly, handing them a 3-0

beating as well.

Chiefs have not really stamped their authority on the African continent and

in their first ever venture into Africa, crashed out in the second round to

another Egyptian side - Zamalek - who went on to win the African Champions

League back in 1994.

A year ago, Amakhosi took another tentative step into the cauldron of

African football and, for the second time in as many attempts, bombed out in

the second round, this time to lightweights Nchanga Rangers.

But their rebuilding process appears to be on track as most of the

youngsters Muhsin Ertugral has promoted to the senior team during the last

three years that he had been in charge seems to have come of age,

particularly Patrick Mbuthu, Marco Mthembu, Jabu Pule and Brian Baloyi who

seems to mellow with age.