Blame game rocks Eagles players’ deals

Blue Eagles and Ferroviário de Nampula have been entangled in a blame game with agent Nolito James Pondamale over unfulfilled conditions surrounding the loan transfer deals for midfielder John ‘CJ’ Banda and striker Schumacher Kuwali to the Mozambican club last year.

According to Eagles general manager Gabriel Chirwa, the one-year loan contracts which expired at the close of last year, stipulated that the Mozambican club would pay $10 000 (about  K7.5 million) transfer fees for both players.

In the deal, he added, it was indicated that Nampula would donate sports equipment such as balls and boots to the Super League outfit.

But Chirwa claimed that Nampula vice-president Luis Munguambe, who was in the country last week to negotiate the renewal of the pair’s loan deals, denied knowing the conditions.

The Eagles general manager suspected that the agent made these promises to persuade his club to release the players.

“Munguambe said his club only pays a maximum of $2 500 [about K1.8 million] loan transfer fees for each player and he was surprised that the agreement indicated that his club was supposed to pay us $10 000.

He also denied promising to donate the sports equipment,” Chirwa said.

The revelation comes after the two clubs refused to renew the players’ loan deals using the agents “because they were untrustworthy.”

In the meantime, Chirwa said the development has led to the suspension of discussions on the renewal of Kuwali and Banda’s loan deals until January 30 when Ferroviário de Nampula expects to finalise investigations into the matter.

But Pondamale, a Malawian who sometimes resides in Mozambique, hit back saying that he has evidence to prove Nampula approved the loan conditions.

“I know these denials are just meant to tarnish my name, but I can even produce e-mails from de Nampula to prove that the Mozambican club made the promises. They should just find other reasons to justify their failure to pay Eagles,” the agent said yesterday.

Asked to produce the evidence, Pondamale promised to do so later.

“I am travelling to Zambia and I can only do that later this evening.”

He further said that the Mozambican club made an upfront payment of $5 000 (about K3.7 million) last year while promising to finish the payment later in the season.

“When I try to remind the club about the balance its officials do not cooperate and were irritatingly arrogant. In the end, Eagles officials reached a point when they accused me of swindling them,” he said.

Pondamale said it was good that they had decided to do it on their own because all the deal brought to his life was “torture and suspicions of crimes which I didn’t commit.”

“If the two clubs are honest enough let them share the documents they have regarding the deals and the truth will be known. It is a relief that I am no longer part of these dishonest people,” he added.

Munguambe, who reportedly drove back to Mozambique a few days ago, could not be reached for comment.

But he told Zodiak Broadcasting Station that they wanted to re-sign the two players because they were regulars.

“The pair had a successful season last year and we hope they can add value again to our team this year as we seek to win the Mocambola League title,” he said.

Meanwhile Munguambe has also stated that they have agreed with Silver Strikers to renew the loan deal for midfielder Ndaziona Chatsalira whose contract also expired at the end of last year.

Silver general secretary Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda confirmed the club held talks with Munguambe and reached an agreement which would see the Mozambican club committing to payment of a new loan fee and honour the balance for the player’s expired deal. n