Front PageNational Sports

Kamwendo quits

 

Inspirational midfielder Joseph Kamwendo has dumped Be Forward Wanderers just months into his two-year contract.

The decision could end an on-and-off romance with the Nomads spanning 13 years.

But Wanderers insist that the player has a running contract and the club cannot terminate it.

Kamwendo tendered his resignation on Tuesday, citing the club’s failure to fulfil some contractual obligations.

Kamwendo: I want to be close to my sick mum

“Your office is very much aware that some contractual obligations between me and Be Forward Wanderers club were not met. The club did not fulfil some of its statements and promises that were duly signed for by both parties in the contract.

“It is not my wish to tussle with the club from legal perspective, as I highly love and respect the emblems of the club. It is for this reason that I have decided to end my engagement with the club on mutual consent,” reads part of Kamwendo’s letter.

It further states that: “I believe I will depart with blessings of the entire executive and that my selfless contribution to the club will always be appreciated. Wanderers Football Club is my home; I am leaving with fond memories and I believe I will, in future, serve the club in whatever role that will be available. I wish the club all the best as it continues to foster its presence as a leading footballing club in the country.”

However, this is in contrast to the reasons he gave to The Nation in an interview yesterday, saying he has quit because he wants to stay close to his sick mother in Mchinji.

“I want to stay close to my mum, that’s all. In such circumstances, I do not think I can continue staying in Blantyre.

“I know that I still have a [running] contract with my beloved team, but this decision is coming from my family who felt it is better that we part ways [with Wanderers]. So, I can confirm that I have tendered my resignation,” he said.

The 30-year-old battle-hardened midfielder said a lot has been said about his decision “just because I want to go and stay close to my sick mother, but I will take all the insults as a man and move on.

“Wanderers has always had a special place in my heart and will always be. That is why every time I came back from abroad, I rejoined the team. Once a Nomad, always one.”

Put to him that the decision might have come about because of the botched up Japan trials, Kamwendo said: “Not at all. In fact, I felt honoured to be chosen among a pool of talented players to be accorded such an opportunity.”

The player had earlier warned that he would have to make a decision about his future after the failed trials.

But Nomads vice-chairperson Gift Mkandawire said they will not accept his resignation.

He said: “It is clear to me that the letter was written by someone in the legal profession just by the choice of words. However, they seem to be misguiding each other considering that they are undermining the contractual implications since Joseph has a running contract and termination has not been discussed so far. As far as we are concerned, [Kamwendo] is a Wanderers player.”

Football Association of Malawi player transfer matching system manager Casper Jangale called for the two sides to meet.

He said: “The player has a running contract. If he has genuine grievances let him come out clear in the letter. But the letter doesn’t say much. The club needs to sit down with him to find out more.”

If he joins another local club it will be the first time for Kamwendo since joining Wanderers from Civo United in 2002.

The player delights in the glory of being one of the best players to have played for the Nomads.

Kamwendo also had stints with Caps United (Zimbabwe), Nordsjaelland (Denmark), Orlando Pirates and Vasco da Gama (South Africa), LD Maputo (Mozambique), TP Mazembe and CS Don Bosco (DR Congo). n

Related Articles

Back to top button