BB, Warriors in Gaba wrangle

The controversy surrounding football sensation Gabadinho Mhango’s transfer has taken another twist with Big Bullets denying signing an agreement with Brave Warriors to the effect that the Southern Region Football League (SRFL) outfit would get a 15 percent cut should the player be sold elsewhere.

The development comes in the wake of the recent revelation that Bullets were offered K3 million (about $7 500) as transfer fee for the player.

Gabadinho is a product of Brave Warriors and their director George ‘Jemba-Jemba’ Kapachika claims his transfer agreement had a clause that Warriors would get a 15 percent cut in the event that he is sold, meaning that they are entitled to about K200 000 (about $500).

But Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire said: “We have never signed any document with Warriors relating to a cut. If they have it, then let them produce it.

“What I know is that we paid a certain transfer fee and the deal was concluded.”

But Kapachika, reacting to the issue, said Mkandawire was not involved in the transfer negotiations.

“At that time, he [Mkandawire] was not the GS. It was, in fact, Ben Sawanga and he was the one who signed the agreement alongside Bob Chakhaza who was an executive member. I can even look for it and show it to you.

“We spent a lot to develop the player and when they [Bullets] first approached us, we were reluctant because he was an asset. We only softened up because we are sympathisers of Bullets and for them to claim that there was never an agreement is a joke,” said Kapachika.

Kapachika later said negotiations with Bullets on the matter were going on, “but should we not make any headway, then we will ask for FAM’s intervention. Nevertheless, our expectation is that we will not reach that far.”

Fifa-Football Association of Malawi (FAM) transfer matching system (TMS) manager Casper Jangale said Brave Warriors have already sought their intervention on the matter.

“They have taken up the issue with us, but now the tricky part is that the player moved to Celtic as a free agent, so, on what basis would Warriors be claiming the 15 percent?

“Of course, we are in receipt of the letter from Brave Warriors to Bullets, copied to Sulom, confirming the deal, which also has the 15 percent condition.

“We want to get more facts from Bullets on whether the K3 million was transfer fee or mere compensation from the agent [Prosport] or Celtic. We took up the matter with Bullets, but they insist that they never signed any document with Warriors.

“So, perhaps the way forward is that we will call the two teams for mediation,” said Jangale.

But Kapachika insisted that the letter was proof of an agreement.

“They did pay us the transfer fee as was stated in the letter, why then should it be difficult for them to pay us the 15 percent cut which was one of the conditions?” he wondered.