Signing on-fee issue controversy at Nomads

Be Forward Wanderers have played down concerns raised by some senior players on preferential treatment in the payment of signing-on fees.

One of the senior players confided in The Nation yesterday that the club paid new players signing-on fees when it still owes a number of other players balances on the same for last season.

“We expected the club to clear the outstanding dues before paying the new players,” he said.

But while confirming that the club indeed owes some players signing-on fee balances, vice-chairperson Gift Mkandawire dismissed suggestions that they are prioritising new players.

Among others, the Nomads reportedly owe Richard Chipuwa, Rafiq Namwera, Francis Mlimbika and Alfred Manyozo Jnr.

“We are aware that it is all emanating from Lucky Malata’s issue, but it is a pure misunderstanding. It is not like we are looking down upon them, they will all be paid once we get funds from the sponsor, these are contractual issues.

“If anything, the players should be happy that we are beefing up the squad,” he said.

Mkandawire also confirmed reports that some key players such as Isaac ‘Tcheya’ Kaliati and Stanley Sanudi’s contracts are about to expire.

“All I can say is that some [like those you have mentioned] are within the last six months of their contracts or their deals have expired.

“But  we have already started negotiations to renew contracts with some of them,” he said.