3 players head for Mozambique

Malawian players continue to trek to Mozambique in search of fortune. The latest exports include Flames and Blue Eagles blossoming midfielder Phillip Masiye who has been offered an outright contract by top league Mocambola side Ferroviario da Beira.

Two other players—Under-20 national soccer team promising left-back Bongani Kaipa and striker Diverson Chilemba—who both turn out for Mighty Wanderers are also reported to have passed trials at another top league side Ferroviario da Nampula.

According to their agent, George Martin—a former Flames international—Kaipa and Chilemba have already signed contracts with the Nampula side, a development that has not gone down well with the Nomads.

Commenting on Masiye’s prospective move, broker of the deal, James Pondomale, said the Beira side wants to sign Masiye outright after being impressed with his performance at last year’s Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Tanzania.

“They said they were impressed that he can shoot using both legs, has a good work rate and is good both in the air and on the ground,” Pondomale said.

Eagles chairperson Elijah Kachikuwo confirmed that talks with the Mozambican club are under way.

“They contacted us through an agent and we are currently talking. They want him right away. Hopefully, we should seal the deal soon,” Kachikuwo said.

He also said while Masiye is the hub of the Eagles in midfield, they are not going to stand in his way.

But Kaipa and Chilemba could face hitches in their quest to join Ferroviario da Nampula.

Martin told Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) on Tuesday morning that the duo has already put pen to paper having impressed during trials and what remains is for the two teams to agree on the terms.

“They should be arriving there [Malawi] in a few days time, but they have already signed contracts,” Martin said.

Nomads vice-general secretary Richard Kambalame faulted the transaction stating that they would query the Mozambican team.

“It is wrong for Ferroviario da Nampula to offer them contracts before we agree on the terms. We will have to find out from the players if indeed they have already signed contracts,” Kambalame said.

The three players will join other Malawian players Simplex Nthala, Emmanuel Chipatala, Zicco Mkanda, Gerald Mkungula, Sankhani Nyirenda and Lewis Minjale, who play in the Mozambiacan top league.

Out of these, only Nthala is considered for national duty and Chipatala recently blamed Flames coach Kinnah Phiri for turning his back on players that ply their trade in the Mozambique top league.

“It would appear Kinnah is only interested in players based in South Africa, but the league here is equally highly competitive. He only calls Simplex [Nthala] because at the time he came here [in Mozambique], he was already an established national team player,” Chipatala said.

He also said the Mozambican League is stronger and very competitive compared to the local league because teams enjoy massive sponsorship.

“Mozambican teams also take part in continental CAF tournaments every year unlike there at home. So, there is need for Kinnah to monitor Mozambique-based players as well,” added Chipatala.

But FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said it is a challenge for the national coach to travel to Mozambique and monitor the performance of the players because of distance and the fact that the games are not televised on SuperSport as opposed to those in South Africa.

“But we will make it a point that he should be going there periodically to assess performance of our players and see if there are more who can be considered for the national team. We can also engage coaches to monitor these players,” Nyamilandu said.

Blue Eagles’ Loti Chawinga is also linked with a move to a Kenyan Premier League side Congo FC after impressing at the previous Cecafa Tournament as well. Details about Chawinga’s deal are still sketchy.