Pirates chasing u-17 star banda
South Africa Premier Soccer League (PSL) giants Orlando Pirates have made advances on Under-17 national team star Peter Banda, who is son to former Nyasa Big Bullets midfielder late Chikondi Banda.
The Buccaneers’ scout Thobiso Motsepe spotted Banda at the recent Under-17 Cosafa Cup where the 14-year-old grabbed the golden boot.
Both the scout and the player’s club Griffin Young Stars have confirmed that negotiations are underway between the two sides.
The FMB Under-20 League side coach Griffin Saenda Junior, who is also Banda’s uncle, said the player is interested in the offer.
“Motsepe said they want to rope the player into Pirates’ reserve side which plays in their developmental league,” said Saenda Junior.
On his part, Banda, who sat for the Junior Certificate of Education (JCE), said he was looking forward to joining the PSL oufit’s reserve side.
“I would be delighted to play outside Malawi at a club that would be able to meet all my needs, including paying for my education,” he said.
However, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) club licensing manager Casper Jangale said the current rules on club licensing will not allow the 14-year-old to join the South African club at present.
“Banda is a minor. He cannot play for any club outside the country until he turns 18. He can only be allowed to do that if at least one of his parents or guardian moves to stay in the country where the interested club is,” said Jangale.
Meanwhile, the player was the most sought for in the just-closed transfer window.
Super League giants Nyasa Big Bullets, Be Forward Wanderers and Silver Strikers all came knocking for the player’s signature, but Saenda Jnr said he will not let his nephew join a local club.
He said: “We have turned down offers from local clubs because we do not have trust in them in terms of taking care of the lad.
“If the player fails to strike any deal outside Malawi, he will continue playing in the FMB League for at least three years so as to mature before any offer can be accepted.” n
