EDITOR NOTE: This article is translated from the original written in French by Omar Chraibi for Pan-Africa Football.
The Tripoli Union (Al Ittihad) is on the verge of finalizing the transfer of Botswana national team forward Tumisang Orebonye, currently under contract with Moroccan Botola Pro side AS FAR of Rabat.
According to several corroborating sources, the player has decided to lift his release clause to join the Libyan team, a departure which constitutes a hard blow for the military.
An express transfer to strengthen Ittihad
Arriving at AS FAR in January 2024 from USM Alger, Orebonye will only have spent a short period with the Moroccan club.
His experience in Botola Pro Inwi and the CAF Champions League has been limited, with 21 appearances and 3 goals scored this season. Despite a luxury replacement role, he remained a valuable option for the technical staff particularly in rotation management.
Al Ittihad, which seeks to strengthen itself for the rest of the season, is banking on its experienced profile to energize its attack.
Orebonye has already played in several African championships, including USM Alger, Olympique Khouribga and the Botswanan clubs Township Rollers and Gaborone United.
AS FAR weakened before a decisive phase?
The hasty departure of Orebonye could complicate the plans of AS FAR, still in the race for the Botola Pro Inwi title and qualified for the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League.
His impact on the team's play was certainly limited in terms of starts, but his experience and versatility made him a key element in managing high-intensity matches. Having won the 2022-23 CAF Confederation Cup with USM Alger as well as the 2023 CAF Super Cup, Orebonye was the type of player who could help AS FAR in the latter stages of the Champions League.
Because the winter transfer window has ended, AS FAR will not be able to make up for this loss, especially as the next deadlines promise to be crucial on both counts. However the military club does have a stable of talented forwards including former TP Mazembe striker Joel Beya and experienced Moroccan forwards like Ahmed Hammoudan and Youssef El Fahli.
Will the Rabat club be able to bounce back without its Botswanan striker and maintain its continental ambition? Response in the coming weeks.
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