Chester aborts deal
Former US-based Flames attacker Yamikani Chester has mutually terminated his contract with Cezch third-tier side MFK Vyskov.
Rainbow Sports Agency, the firm that brokered his deal with the Cezch club from Be Forward Wanderers and the player’s local representative Gift Mkandawire confirmed the development yesterday.
The agency’s southern and eastern Africa representative James Woods Nkhutabasa said in an interview yesterday that MFK Vyskov and Chester agreed to part ways “due to other unforeseen circumstances”.
He said: “Chester’s three-year contract was due to expire in November-December this year, but it was agreed that it would be in the best interest of both parties to terminate the contract now.”
Nkhutabasa also said the development comes after the player turned down a three-year outright offer from Mexican Second Division side Club Atletico Morelia.
“Chester turned down the offer because he was not happy with the terms as he felt the perks were on the lower side,” he said.
The player’s agent also said prior to the Mexican offer, Chester was also offered a lucrative contract by a Chinese club, but the deal fell through due to Covid-19 restrictions.
“This was a far much better offer compared to the one from the Mexican club; unfortunately, the Chinese club withdrew it because of the Covid-19 complications.”
The 26-year-old midfielder has been in the country since last September following the expiry of his one-year loan deal at USL Championship club Las Vegas Lights in the US.
“But although he has not been playing since August/September last year, Chester was still getting his salary from his parent club until the mutual termination of the contract.
“Chester’s performance in the US, where he spent the first two years of his deal on loan with North Carolina FC and Las Vegas lights, was impressive and a number of clubs were interested to take him on board only that he could not get a visa in time due to Covid-19 complications,” said Nkhutabasa.
The agent said they are currently talking to a few South African top-flight league clubs as well as European clubs for a possible move.
“As we await an opening, he will be rejoining Wanderers on a short-term loan deal,” he said.
Mkandawire confirmed that negotiations with the Nomads are almost through.
He said: “We are just waiting for a contract offer from Wanderers; otherwise, the agreement is that no money will change hands so that should an opportunity arise, he should be allowed to leave.”
Mkandawire said the plan is that Chester should be active so that he can be considered for national team engagements, in particular the 2022 World Cup and 2021 Africa Cup of Nations’ finals.
Chester was not available for comment yesterday, but Wanderers general secretary Fadwick Matemba said they will have a concrete position today.
Wanderers sold Chester to the Cezch side at $40 000 (about K33 million present rate).
