Lockdown holds Gabeya in South Africa

 Nyasa Big Bullets defender Miracle Gabeya, who sneaked out to South Africa in search of greener pastures, is stuck in that country due to a lockdown and travel ban due to coronavirus pandemic.

The on-and-off Flames defender was invited to South Africa a month ago by his agent who promised to facilitate trials at some South African clubs.

However, the trials did not materialise as the country swiftly suspended all football activities and eventually imposed a travel ban which is still effective to date.

Apparently, the player decided to leave for South Africa after being incensed with Bullets’ decision to offer him a year-long contract instead of a long term agreement.

Nyasa Big Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga confirmed that the player left while the club was negotiating his contract renewal.

He said: “To begin with, Miracle never spoke to anyone when he was leaving. We heard from social media that he was in South Africa.

“At the time of leaving we were engaging players for extension of their contracts, including his.”

But Chigoga said Gabeya is still in Bullets plans having registered him with for the 2020 season.

Gabeya was not available for comment but this is not the first time that the lanky defender has trekked down south in search for a team.

In 2014, the player was invited for trials at Bloemfontein FC, but he did not make the grade.

In 2017, he passed trials at Highlands Park, but the deal fell through after the two teams failed to reach an agreement on the transfer fee.

Last season, the defender spent most of his time on the sidelines due to a long-term injury.