Chande on compassionate leave

Be Forward Wanderers have given their new signing Jaffalie Chande a compassionate leave to sort out his “personal and private issues,” the player and Nomads’ team manager Steve Madeira have confirmed.

Chande, whose transfer from Wanderers’ rivals Nyasa Big Bullets, stirred controversy recently, has not been attending training sessions for the past two weeks. He is expected to resume training on Tuesday next week.

“I can confirm that Chande has been missing training since returning from the national team camp as he is on a compassionate leave. He initially asked for a week to sort out his personal and private issues, but few days ago he pleaded for an extension, which has been granted,” Madeira said.

“However, I must make it clear that his absence at training has nothing to do with administration. His absence will be felt, but his position will be covered as we have a squad of 30 players.”

On his part, Chande said he is currently at his home in Lilongwe where he is sorting out undisclosed health problems he has been having for the past few weeks.

“I am with my family in Lilongwe and I will return to Blantyre for training with Wanderers once I get well. I am going through the most difficult period healthwise and I asked for a leave,” he said.

Before being allowed to join Wanderers last month, Chande had protracted spell on the sidelines as he was barred from playing for any team after Bullets produced a contract that contradicted the one that the player submitted to Football Association of Malawi.