National Sports

Nomads plead with Chande

Desperate to end their scoring woes, Be Forward Wanderers on Monday approached their wayward forward Jaffalie Chande and pleaded with him to reconsider his decision and return to the club.

The Nomads, who face Nyasa Big Bullets in the Airtel Top 8 semi-finals this Saturday, sent a delegation led by team manager Stevie Madeira to meet Chande at his Mitundu home in the outskirts of Lilongwe.

Chande (L) set conditions

Chande abandoned the Nomads prior to the start of the current season after differences with some senior players and when his request to have his contract terminated, was turned down.

A well-placed source said the Nomads delegation met Chande and some of his family members for close to three hours.

“In the end, he [Chande] told them that he is willing to return on condition that they pay him his salary for the past three to four months.

“He also demanded an assurance that there would be no bad blood between him and some senior players,” he said.

But while confirming the meeting with the player and his parents, Madeira said it had nothing to do with the team’s current goal drought nor the upcoming Blantyre derby.

“Well…he is our player who has a running contract and as team manager, it was my duty to check on him and understand the concerns that he has.

“Issues to do with his salary or personal concerns are private and I don’t know where all this is coming from,” he said.

The team manager also said even though they are experiencing a goal drought, Chande would still not be available for selection.

“Even if that was the reason [of visiting him], there is no way he can feature on Saturday having been out of action for five to six months.

“Nevertheless, he is our player and we are hopeful that when he returns, he will play a crucial role in complementing the striking force,” said Madeira.

Chande’s brother, Richard, confirmed the meeting saying Jaffalie is ready so long as the Nomads agree on the conditions he gave them.

The Nomads have scored five goals, including two penalties, in all competitions.

They lie on an unenviable 12th place in the 16-team league, just two places shy of the relegation zone.

Wanderers have won only two from six games, drawn two and lost twice as well. At the same point last season, they had won five and drawn once enroute to winning the title.

Related Articles

Back to top button