BB fans say Gaba SA deal is big joke

Big Bullets claim to have received a meagre K3 million (R75 000) cut from supremely gifted forward Gabadinho Mhango’s transfer to South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) club Bloemfontein Celtic.

The development has set tongues wagging with some influential members within the People’s Team set-up describing the transaction as a big joke considering that the same club [Celtic] paid K9 million (about $22 500) to Escom United for defender Limbikani ‘Pupa’ Mzava two years ago.

Players agent and former Bullets treasurer Kondi Msungama argued that even if it were the agency [Prosport International] that benefited more from the deal, Bullets should have still pocketed more.

“I am not sure how much Celtic paid to the agency, but the assumption is that it must have been a fortune considering a player of Gaba’s class.

“In any case, Mzava is also managed by the same agency, but Escom got K9 million from the same club. Something is just not adding up here. There is need for a clear explanation; otherwise, it creates room for speculation,” said Msungama.

He also questioned the justification in terminating the player’s contract.

Bullets board of trustees chairperson James Busile also expressed surprise at the K3 million (about $7 500) figure.

“Are you sure you have got the correct figure? It cannot be because Gaba was an asset.

“That is not the sort of player that can go for peanuts. Anyway, I was outside the country and I am yet to be briefed on how the transaction was handled to the effect of terminating the player’s contract,” said Busile.

Efforts to talk to Bullets chairperson Malinda Chinyama and general secretary Higger Mkandawire proved futile, but the club’s vice-chairperson Austin Kasito admitted that the way the whole deal was handled raises a lot of questions.

“I cannot run away from responsibility, but the problem with our colleagues in Blantyre is that they do not consult us when they are processing player transfers.

“They only consult us when there is need for financial help. I got the e-mail from their chairperson [Chinyama] this morning informing me about the K3 million cut and as I am talking to you, I have been summoned by our Central Region supporters committee to explain how the deal was transacted,” said Kasito.

He said when he learnt about Gabadinho’s contract termination, he contacted Mkandawire and told him that it was not the proper way of doing things.

“I am failing to understand the justification in terminating the player’s contract and how he started playing without the club getting a cut.

“Over and above that, how can a team that is struggling financially accept to get a meagre K3 million from a deal involving a gem like Gaba?” Kasito asked.

In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Celtic technical director Mich d’Avray refused to disclose how much they paid for the player.

“Ask his agents and the club, I am sure they should be able to give you the figures,” he said.

Last week, some Bullets fans demanded the resignation of Mkandawire on the basis that they were not convinced with the reasons Gaba’s contract was terminated.

However, Mkandawire insisted that there was nothing sinister in the deal.

“I know that people suspect that we misappropriated funds from the transfer, but we did not even get a penny,” Mkandawire said at the weekend.