Covid-19 affects Linje’s club-hunting in Japan
Japan-based forward Jabulani Linje’s club-hunting has been affected by Covid-19 though the player says he is confident of clinching a new deal.
Linje’s contract with his former club Japanese third-tier outfit YSCC Yokohama expired and he has been clubless since last year.
However, his brother Jimmy, who is also the player’s manager, said they are working on clinching a deal for the former Be Forward Wanderers striker.
He said: “He is still in Japan. There’s 95 percent hope to sign for another team. The problem is Covid-19.”
Linje became the first Malawian to play in J-3 League in 2018 after clinching a deal through former sponsors reconditioned motor-vehicle dealers Be Forward Limited.
His contract expired in 2020 and has since been club-hunting with no success.
Soccer analyst Charles Nyirenda observed that the player’s continued stay in Japan was affecting his career.
He said: “I would advise him to return home and relaunch his career by joining a TNM Super League club.
“We have seen a number of players returning home and relaunching their careers and making it even bigger.”
Linje started his football career at Blue Eagles Youth before launching his Super League career at Kamuzu Barracks.
He joined Civo United in 2012 and eventually moved to Wanderers in 2015.
The former Civil Service (Civo) United player was among former Flames coach Ronny van Geneugden’s favourite strikers and was featured in five matches by the Belgian, but did not score.
