The protracted stand-off between NEC FC and forward Cromwell Rwothomio, chanted better as "Abang," has finally come to a close after the two parties agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent, bringing the curtain down on a stint that turned increasingly bitter in its final months.
The breakthrough ends a saga that had dragged on for the better part of the year with Abang publicly crying foul, accusing the Lugogo-based side of victimisation and deliberately frustrating his career.
Earlier this year, the player alleged that his playing licence had been withheld and at least three separate transfer moves including a proposed return to boyhood club Paidha Black Angels were blocked by the club.
The club, for its part, had reportedly insisted the striker needed to settle a contract buy-out figure before any exit could be processed, a position that had left the forward in limbo since a disputed half-time substitution against Calvary FC late last year triggered the fallout.
With that impasse now resolved, both sides appear to have found middle ground, drawing a line under the relationship that produced a total of 27 appearances and nine goals in NEC's runners-up finish in the 2024-25 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season, capped by a memorable equaliser in the CAF Confederation Cup against Nairobi United.
True to the unpredictability that has characterised this transfer saga, Abang's next port of call still remains undecided.
The forward has not committed to any club, and no announcement on his next move is expected imminently.
However, is that suitors in Ntugasaze FC and his former clubs URA FC, Paidha Black Angels SC had already been reported to be circling.
