Chaziya a free agent, contract expired Dec 31
Red-hot defender Lawrence Chaziya is a free agent following the expiry of his contract with Civil Service (Civo) United, The Nation can reveal.
Contrary to the club’s statement last week that they had pegged the player at K650 million, the player has no contract with Civo as it expired on December 31 2021.
Chaziya signed a contract with Civil on March 21 2019 which run up to December 31 2021.
Civo, had an option of renewing the contract, however, they did not, making the player, a free agent instantly.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) club licensing manager Casper Jangale and the player confirmed the development in interview on Monday.
He said: “According to our records in player transfer matching system [PTMS], and a copy of the contract, which Civil submitted to FAM’s club licencing, Chaziya signed a contract with Civil on March 21 2019 which expired on December 31 2022.
“This means Civil don’t own the player anymore and he can be transferred to any club for free.”
However, Jangale said it is up to the club and the player to negotiate for the new contract.
However, Civo general secretary Ronald Chiwaula insisted that the player is still contracted to the club.
He said: “He has a year to go.”
Civo have pegged their defender at 500 000 pounds (about K650 million), making him the most expensive TNM Super League player.
However, currently Chaziya is valued at 50 000 euros (about K60 million) by transfermarket.com
This follows growing interest in the 24-year-old gangly centre-back in light of his stellar performance for the Flames at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Chaziya made his debut against Comoros on December 31 2021 during a friendly match in preparation for Afcon finals in Saudi Arabia.
His second appearance was against Zimbabwe’s Warriors in a Group B Afcon encounter in which he replaced injured captain Limbikani Mzava and stood out in the line of defence.
He also had an outstanding performance against Senegal’s Lions of Teranga.
South African DStv Premiership side SuperSport United have also invited Chaziya for trials soon after the Afcon tournament.
Mozambican and Tanzanian top league sides are reportedly also interested in the defender.
Locally, Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers are also chasing for the player’s signature. But on Monday, Chaziya refused to comment on both local and foreign clubs’ interests.
