Nomads explain Chester, Kaziputa’s absence

Be Forward Wanderers have explained the absence of their midfielders Yamikani Chester and Mike Kaziputa from their opening 2017 TNM Super League match against Kamuzu Barracks on Saturday.

General secretary Mike Butao said Chester could not feature because he suffered an injury during training last week and that Kaziputa’s absence was due to the expiry of his contract.

“Chester collided with one of our goalkeepers during training just days before the match, but as for Kaziputa, he is set for contract renewal.

“We agreed on the terms, but what remains is for us to give him the money,” he said.

However, a source confided in The Nation that the winger refused to sign the league’s registration form unless the Nomads paid him his signing-on fee in full.

But Butao dismissed this version, saying: “The player’s absence had nothing to do with his contractual issue, to the contrary, he had a personal problem.”  

He also said the duo has since resumed training and is expected to feature in their Airtel Top 8 match against Azam Tigers on Sunday.

“As I am speaking to you now, they are both training with the team.”

Chester yesterday confirmed having resumed training, saying he is looking forward to making his competitive debut against his former team.

Meanwhile, the Nomads have suffered a further injury blow as their attacking midfielder Jabulani Linje, has also pulled his muscles, further crippling the Nomads attacking options.

Already, the Nomads are without four key strikers, namely Peter Wadabwa, Jimmy Zakazaka, Amos Bello and Ishmael Thindwa.

However, Butao played down the situation, saying: “We gave an assurance that we would get an additional striker and surprisingly, people are asking when that striker will come.

“But that additional striker is [Julius] Kajembe who has already started delivering. He is a ‘sniper’ in the mould of Jaffalie Chande.” n