Silver deny ‘highjacking’ Nakamura

Silver Strikers and Be Forward Wanderers officials on Thursday evening clashed over Japanese import utility player Genki Nakamura.

Silver have since denied ‘highjacking’ the Wanderers-bound Japanese player who ended up at the Bankers treasurer Fred Kalonga’s house after jetting in the country.

According to Kalonga, he was alerted of the player’s arrival by Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) immigration officials.

“There was no one to welcome the player at the airport. The officials called me because they said the player had indicated to them that he was in the country to play for Silver,” Kalonga said.

In contrast, Kalonga was quoted by Friday’s edition of the Daily Times as saying: “I have been talking to him and he might be in Malawi this week. The last time we talked he said he was in Tanzania en route to Malawi to start negotiations with us.”

Nakamura later clarified that he had come to play for the team sponsored by Japanese company Be Forward.

The player was later picked up by Wanderers officials led by vice-general secretary Chris Kananji.

However, Silver general secretary Chimwemwe Nkhwimba attributed the mix up to  communication breakdown.

“Wanderers is just blowing the whole issue out of proportion. It’s a minor issue. I think there was communication breakdown between the player and Wanderers because he was stranded at the airport for several hours and immigration officials called Fred because they thought he was coming to play for Silver,” said Nkhwimba.

Meanwhile, the player is in Blantyre and according to the Nomads general secretary Mike Butao, he is expected to start two-week trials on Tuesday.

“He is a top player who has played in many countries. But he will undergo the normal process all the players go through,” Butao said.

“On what happened in Lilongwe, I cannot comment much. The ones who tried to highjack the player cannot afford him. We also cannot afford him. It’s our sponsors who are going to be responsible for everything.”

According to transfermarket.com, a player database, Nakamura, who is currently  a free agent, plays as a striker, attacking midfielder and right winger.

His last club is Mohammedan Sporting of India but he has played for Bilisht and FK Tomori Berat of Albania, Sport Boys and Hijos de Acosvinchos Peru, Cerezo Osaka (Japan), Saigon Port (Vietnam), Vfb Huls and, DJK Tus (Germany).

Last season Wanderers also signed a foreign player Cameroonian striker Lionel Atsu but the player terminated his contract after accusing the Nomads of failing to fulfil contractual obligations.