Army teams owe Epac owner K1.5m in player deals
Businessperson Dini Josaya Banda has said Malawi Defence Force (MDF) teams owe him K1.5 million through his Epac Football Club in respect of players to Red Lions (K400 000), Moyale Barracks (K400 000) and Kamuzu Barracks K700 000.
In an interview on Wednesday, Banda said they will use proper channels to get their money.
The players Epac sold to Army teams on a gentleman’s agreement, but with the blessings of the Super League of Malawi (Sulom), are Dan Katunga (Moyale), Innocent Mlilima (Red Lions), Wonderful Tumeyo, Vincent Mphepo, Benjamin Issa, Steve Unyolo, Leman Nthara and Patience Kalumo (Kamuzu Barracks).
“It has been an issue for a long time. We are still knocking on their door hoping to get our dues,” said Banda.
Most of the players that have trekked to Army teams have cited employment opportunity as the main attraction.
KB chairperson Liuetenant Colonel Saiford Kalisha and his deputy Lieutenant Jonathan Taipi admitted owing Banda and pledged to settle the issue by next week.
“We have been talking to each other. It is unfortunate that the issue is in the press, but we will settle the matter next week. He is someone whom we respect and have a great working relationship with,” said Kalisha.
In a related issue, Silver Strikers general secretary Mike Tembo disclosed on Thursdaythat KB have settled an outstanding bill of K1 million for the transfers of midfielder Harvey Mkacha and defender Mustafa Salimu.
“The matter is now resolved and the two players now fully belong to KB. We have no issue with them now,” said Tembo.
Efforts to talk to Moyale and Red Lions proved futile as managers of the two teams could not be reached while their coaches declined to speak on the matter in respect of protocol.
FAM and Sulom have ruled that Army and police teams will now be paying money worth the calibre of a player they want from another team, not a developmental fee as has been the case in the past.
