Leopards fire Grant Lungu

Discarded Flames striker Grant Lungu is expected home after his South Africa Premier Soccer League (PSL) club terminated his contract six months earlier.

Lungu is among three players who have been fired at the club which is strengthen its squad as it fights relegation.

“Teams revisit their crop of players to strengthen for yet another round of football season. Black Leopards have decided to release Grant Lungu from the team. The 25-year-old Malawi born striker will now be a free agent.

“On a similar boat, Simphiwe Vezi has left the club to join National First Division (NFD) side Blackburn Rovers. The team has also loaned out youngster Jabu Nkosi to Sivusta Stars,” wrote the club on its official website www.blackleopards.co.za on Wednesday.

Leopards owner David Thidiera, Lungu and his agent Kondi Msungama confirmed the development in interviews Wednesday.

“Yes, it is true bro,” said Lungu in response to a questionnaire on Facebook.

In a telephone interview from Polokwane, South Africa, Thidiera said: “Yes, it is as you have seen on the website, but call Msungama for the details.”

Msungama, who is Leopards’ local linkperson, said Lungu has been laid off due to poor performance.

“Initially, he was supposed to be released at the beginning of the season, but I pleaded with the team to give him another chance. He was given a chance of five games, but did not perform; hence, the boot.

“At the moment, he is free to join any club and will be properly compensated by Leopards for the remaining six months of his contract.

“We are yet to hear if there are teams, especially in NFD, who could be interested in his services, but as it is he will be coming home as we plan his next move,” said Msungama.

Lungu’s compatriots Dave Banda and Harry Nyirenda, who are regulars at Leopards, have survived the chop.

Lungu in October said that he wanted to move out of Leopards after being frustrated due to lack of game time as by then, he had not played a single game.

But three weeks later, Lungu said he would see his contract through after playing four consecutive games before he was sidelined again for the remaining games of the first round towards Christmas.

Lungu joined Leopards in 2009 from Big Bullets. He was instrumental in Leopards’ last-minute failed bid to win promotion in his debut season in which he was the club’s top goalscorer.

Last season, he also played a crucial role in the team’s qualification for the Nedbank finals as he scored a winning goal in the quarter-finals.

He joined Bullets in 2001 from MDC United where he helped the team to winn three trophies in a season.

In 2010, Flames coach Kinnah Phiri called him for games against Chad in the 2012 Afcon qualifiers and a friendly game against Rwanda. He started both games, but was substituted 30 minutes into both games. He has not been called for national duty since then.