BB fail to land Nkacha, Simkonda

In a rather dramatic twist to Kamuzu Barracks play-maker Harvey Nkacha’s prospective loan switch to Big Bullets FC, the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) has said the player has snubbed the move.

Following talks which Bullets held with MDF Deputy Commander Griffin Supuni-Phiri last week, they were reportedly given the green light to get the player on loan with a condition that they could only feature him in the CAF Champions League.

However, MDF spokesperson Francis Kakhuta-Banda yesterday said the player has since spurned the deal.

“Nkacha will not be loaned to Bullets because of two reasons. First, he does not want to join Bullets. Second, in accordance with the rules, he cannot feature for two teams within the same period,” said Kakhuta-Banda.

He also confirmed that Moyale Barracks forward Gastin Simkonda cannot be loaned to Bullets because he has been assigned military duties elsewhere.

Nkacha himself was elusive when asked about his position on Wednesday.

“It is difficult for me to comment because I am supposed to comply with the orders of the authorities.

“Up until now, I have not been briefed anything by the bosses, suffice to say I will have to abide by whatever decision will be made,” said Nkacha.

However, Bullets general secretary Harold Fote alleged that it is KB officials who have instructed Nkacha not to accept to be loaned out.

“We got a seal of approval from the authorities and we also spoke to the player and he was willing to join us on loan, but we suspect that the authorities at KB enticed him to turn down the offer,” said Fote.

Meanwhile, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) transfer regulations manager Casper Jangale has said it is practically impossible for a player to feature for two clubs within the same period even if it were for different tournaments.

“The proposed arrangement [is] that Nkacha should only feature for Bullets in the CAF tournament and then feature for KB in league games. It does not work that way.

“Unless the assumption is that he will feature for Bullets in CAF tournaments and when the league starts, he will revert to KB. Otherwise, they just have to sit down and agree on how best they can work out the loan deal to the benefit of both teams,” said Jangale.

But Fote argued that the arrangement is possible provided it is agreed to by all parties.

However, Fifa rules stipulate that a player cannot feature for two teams within the same period even on loan as the period is supposed to be specific.