Wanderers lead transfer market
- Spend K14m; Limbani, Kumwenda sold to Silver
Mighty Be Forward Wanderers are, for a second consecutive season, leading on the domestic players’ transfer market having forked out over K14 million.
The Nation got the figure from sources after Wanderers’ general secretary Mike Butao yesterday refused to disclose the actual amount but admitted that the budget has over shot. The transfer window closed over the weekend.
“We are being held at ransom as all players are overpriced. People have a misconception that we have more money in view of the Be Forward sponsorship [K70 million],” explained Butao.
Last season, some K28 million was spent on players transfers with Wanderers leading the buying at K8.4 million, followed by Big Bullets’ expenditure of K8 million. Wanderers did not win any silverware last season.
This season, Nomads have brought in over 13 new players. Hot prospects Isaac Kaliyati and Stanley Sanudi bought from Azam Tigers will cost some K12 million which also includes outstanding debts from the previous transfers of Mike Kaziputa, Kondwani Lufeyo and Kondwani Kumwenda.
Kaliyati could be the most expensive having cost the Nomads K4 million with Sanudi pegged at K2.5 million.
Wanderers have signed as free agents John Lanjesi and Jabulani Linje (from Civo United), Malumbo Gondwe (Azam Tigers), Jimmy Zakazaka, Rafik Mussa, Lionel Assu, Victor Nyirenda, Ibrahim Sadiki whereas Muhamad Sulumba (Blantyre United) and Peter Munthali (Chikwawa United) have come on loans.
Elsewhere, the Tigers have recalled from loan Peter Mpulula who played for Bvumbwe Research last season. Bvumbwe have also sold to Tigers defender Peter Cholopi and Ernest Kakhobwe. Also at Tigers for free is seasoned winger Emmanuel Chipatala.
Trailing the Nomads could be Silver Strikers. Silver have spent some K4.3 million on new players having signed Tizgobere Kumwenda and Victor Limbani from Blantyre United through Big Bullets; both at K2.8 million.
The Bankers have also forked out K1.5 million ($3 500) for the transfer of Ghanaian striker Samuel Siaw from D’International of Accra.
Silver general secretary Mike Tembo said the rest of the signings were on free transfer. The expenditure on players could swell as the Bankers are also supposed to settle K2 million transfer fee for Timothy Chitedze.
“We have a humble duty of bringng back the league to Lilongwe. We also want to become the first club [in recent years] to sweep all cups, including the Standard Bank Knock-Out Trophy which we hold,” Tembo said yesterday.
Bullets are pressing for the clearance of Chiukepo Msowoya from his previous Mozambique club, Costa do Sol. In Lilongwe, Blue Eagles have also focused on free transfers such as Tsanzo Dalio, Jester Mulima, Maxwell Mwanyongo and Wister Phiri.
FAM facility and transfer matching system manager Casper Jangale has since hailed Super League of Malawi and clubs for the sanity that has characterised the transfers. The disputed transfer of Chitedze is the only blot on the transfers.
