Babatunde off to SA for medical at Venda FC
Nyasa Big Bullets striker Babatunde Adepoju yesterday flew to South Africa to undergo a medical test at Venda Academy FC ahead of his pending transfer to the National First Division outfit.
The Nigerian, who returned to Malawi from his homeland on Wednesday where he went to renew his passport, said he was confident of passing the medical.
He said: “I hope I will pass the medical and probably sign a deal with them. I should thank God for progress made so far. I should also make it clear that I have not signed for Venda as others are claiming.”
Nyasa Big Bullets confirmed the development, saying the player has travelled to South Africa with the club’s blessings.
The club’s chief administration officer Albert Chigoga said: “His medical is scheduled for Monday, January 23. There is an offer in principle, hence the club’s cooperation to allow the player to go for the medical. Once he passes the medical, a transfer agreement will be signed.”
Although Bullets have not disclosed what Venda are offering, the club last year said they had valuated him at K50 million.
Venda Football Academy are based in Venda, and previously, were playing in the South Africa Football Association Second Division.
They moved to the National First Division at the start of the 2021-22 season after businessman Robinson Ramaite purchased the franchise from Cape Umoya United.
Babatunde impressed the South African side after he won the Golden Boot with 18 goals, beating Mighty Mukuru Wanderers striker Muhammad Sulumba who had 15 goals.
The Golden Boot was the third accolade for Babatunde who won the 2022 FDH Bank Cup top scorer award as well as the 2021 Airtel Top 8 Golden Boot.
The Nigerian came close to winning the Golden Boot with Mighty Wanderers in 2019, when he led the scorers chart for months.
But then Silver Strikers marksman Khuda Myaba, who is now with National First Division’s Polokwane City, vowed to dislodge him.
Myaba succeeded to overtake the Nigerian and won the gong with 21 goals to become the first striker to score over 20 goals in 10 years.
In that campaign, Babatunde, who started his TNM Super League career at the defunct Masters Security in 2018, finished third with 14 goals after he was also overtaken by Bullets’ Hassan Kajoke who netted 17.
In 2021 Babatunde finished the season with six goals as Kajoke took over the mantle from Myaba on the last day of season with 15 goals, beating second placed Maxwell Gastin Phodo who netted 13.
