FAM fears for Sulumba’s deal

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) transfer matching systems (TMS) manager Casper Jangale has urged Blantyre United and Be Forward Wanderers to amicably resolve striker Muhamad Sulumba’s controversy.

Jangale said this in reaction to the Nomads general secretary Mike Butao’s fresh warning that the player’s transfer deal “could get messy”.

Said Jangale: “It is a known fact that the player belongs to Blantyre United and Wanderers are not disputing this and it is also a fact that United loaned the player to Wanderers for a season-long period.

“But the worrying factor is that the two teams are not speaking the same language and this has the potential to affect the player’s deal. I would urge both teams to sit down and resolve the issue amicably and as owners of the player, Blantyre United should set the ball rolling.”

Jangale also said according to transfer rules, it is practically impossible to loan a player to two teams within the same period.

He was reacting to Cosmos’ counter-offer to sign the player on another season-long loan deal.

“He is already loaned to Wanderers until the end of the [current] season. So, on what basis would United loan him to Cosmos? Unless, of course, if they agree to terminate the deal with Wanderers amicably and that is exactly what we are urging them to do,” he said.

On his part, Butao claimed that they are not aware that the player is in South Africa.

“We know that we have not released him back to Blantyre United. This transfer might just get messy before it is resolved [and] that is if it will be resolved at all.

“Presently, Sulumba is contracted to Be Forward Wanderers [on loan] for the entire 2015 season and the rules back us,” said Butao.

However, United’s technical director Lawson Nakoma said he did not understand why Wanderers are making a fuss out of the issue.

“The loan deal clearly stipulates that we return 100 percent ownership rights for the player and we are ready to compensate them at an appropriate time,” said Nakoma.

Sulumba signed a three-year deal with Cosmos who have just earned promotion back into.