While some players started 2023 with a new chapter at new teams, the 2023 January transfer window also saw potential transfers fall through at the last minute after days of negotiations. A host of the clubs decided to opt out of deals whereas some of the players also turned down the moves to interested teams due to various factors. Times Sport takes a look at five big transfers which did not happen in the just-concluded January transfer window. Moro Sumaila to AS Kigali It was supposed to be the biggest transfer of the January window but, despite the deal gaining momentum with the player spending over two weeks in a hotel in Kigali, the deal never happened. AS Kigali agreed to pay his buyout clause of $25,000 (over Rwf25,000,000) but they pulled out of the deal in the last hour and a dejected Moro returned to Etincelles. The Ghanaian had an impressive run of form during the first round Rwanda Premier League, scoring nine goals and assisting seven times in the process. Rayon Sports were also interested in the Ghanaian attacker but pulled out of the race after securing the services of Congolese forward Heritier Luvumbu. Youssef Rharb to Rayon Sports The Blues were interested in bringing the Raja Casablanca forward back to the club for a second spell but the deal hit a snag. Rharb featured for Rayon in the first round of the 2021/2022 season and formed a great attacking partnership with Leandre Onana. His return fell through after it was reported that he handed in a transfer request to his club which rejected to let him go. Rayon might probably go in for him in June 2023. Augustine Henneh to Gasogi The talented Ghanaian defensive midfielder played for Berekum Chelsea in Ghana, Prison Leopards in Zambia and Al Nasr in Egypt. He agreed to a deal with Gasogi United and flew to Kigali hoping to finalize the deal. Henneh felt hesitant to put pen to paper since Gasogi coach Paul Kiwanuka wanted to deploy him in an offensive midfield role which did not go down well with the player as that was not his position. He had various suitors in the Zambian League and left Gasogi without signing the contract Peter Agblevor to Rayon Sports The 19-year-old Ghanaian striker was on the Blues transfer wish list but the deal could not go through. The striker has a release clause of $16,000 (over Rwf16,000,000) attached to his Musanze contract but Rayon weren’t ready to pay it. Agblevor has netted six goals and provided six assists so far this season with three of the goals coming against Rayon Sports and APR. Samuel Nwosu to Espoir The 2021/22 Rwandan League second top scorer was on the radar of Espoir before the end of the first round of Rwanda Premier League. The club was desperate to have him as they believe his goal scoring prowess could help them in their quest to avoid relegation but second tie side Etoile blocked his move. Nwosu still has six months left on his Etoile contract and wanted to force a move out of the club which is adamant to release him even if he was ready to pay their signing on fee of Rwf800,000 to let him go. He sued the club to the football governing body (Ferwafa) before the transfer window closed but he ended up staying.
