SA agent chases Gabadhino’s signature

South Africa-based soccer players agency Media Sport Group (MSG) is offering to sign a contract with Gabadinho’s parents in the hope of finding a club for him in the Rainbow Nation.

MSG operations manager Charles Martin said on Thursday that a number of South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) sides, including Kaizer Chiefs, Bloemfontein Celtic and Mamelodi Sundowns were impressed with Gabadinho’s touches in the brief appearance he made during the friendly match between Bafana Bafana and the Flames on December 22 in Durban.

“The teams would like to assess him between now and February during the Afcon break, then he will sign a pre-contract should he be successful,” said Martin.

He said the plans are to get Gabadinho on board with a condition that he will be enrolled at a high school while in South Africa.

Other South African clubs such as Jomo Cosmos and Black Leopards have, through their local scouts, failed to lure Gabadinho as his father insists that his son will only go for professional football once he completes secondary education.

He is currently repeating Form Two having failed to sit for Junior Certificate of Education examinations last year.

“We will put conditions to teams that will sign him that he should not be staying on his own or with other players, but with a foster parent who will be his guardian to ensure that he focuses on his studies.

“There are a number of players in the PSL such as Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana defender Erick Mathotho who are in high school and we want to come up with a similar arrangement for Gabadinho,” said Martin.

He said the player has talent and this is the right time for him to move so that he can master professional demands while still young.

But Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire said their position on the player has not changed, insisting that he will not join a foreign team until he finishes secondary education in Malawi.

“People should understand that what we are doing is in the interest of the player. We do not want him to be another case of failure story as other professionals,” said Mkandawire.

The player’s father could not be reached for comment, while the player said he will take his parents advice.

“Once my dad says I should go, I will, but as of now it is education in Malawi and Bullets that’s all,” he said on Thursday.

In a related development, top Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League side Caps United are also trying their luck on Gabadinho and Wanderers’ Gerald Phiri Jnr.

Caps director Twine Phiri, who was in the country recently, confirmed meeting Gerald [Phiri Jnr] and his father, but was unable to meet Gabadinho and his guardians.

“I can confirm that I had quite a successful preliminary meeting with them and we are now planning to approach his club [Wanderers]. But I was unable to get in touch with Bullets and Gabadinho’s parents due to a crammed diary, but I am in the process of doing that,” said Twine.

He said apart from strengthening his team, he has plans to facilitate moves for the young duo with overseas clubs.

“You may recall that we facilitated Joseph Kamwendo’s move to Europe where he played for Nordsjaelland in Denmark. We want to do the same for Phiri Jnr and Gabadinho.

“But, firstly, we have to get their parents’ consent and then approach their respective teams,” said Twine who has since returned to Harare.

Phiri Snr confirmed meeting the Caps director.

“He [Twine] approached me and we had a preliminary meeting. As for the other logistics, he will have to approach Junior’s club [Wanderers],” said Phiri Snr.

Nomads general secretary David Kanyenda said: “We won’t comment until we are formally approached.”