BB play down players’ protest
Nyasa Big Bullets FC yesterday played down reports about players’ protests over contracts following a meeting held on Monday evening at the club’s owners Nyasa Manufacturing Company premises in Blantyre.
One of the players confided that 16 players were called for a meeting to discuss their contracts which had either expired or were due to expiry.
He said the players were offered new contracts to sign there and then.
Said the player: “At first we thought it would be a consultative process over contracts, but we were surprised to be told that the contracts were ready and that we should sign, failing which, we should not report for training.
“A number of senior players, including captain John Lanjesi, his deputy Chimwemwe Idana, Ernest Kakhobwe and Miracle Gabeya protested this arrangement.”
The source said their argument was that they needed to be given time to go through the contracts and not to be forced to sign.
He said: “While some players, especially junior ones, put pen to paper, others had reservations and refused to do so.
“Since it was getting late, the vice-president [Haiya] said the issue would be pursued today [yesterday].”
Some players, who have running contracts such as Hassn Kajoke, Babatunde Adepoju and Mischeck Selemani were not part of the meeting.
However, the club’s chief excutive officer Suzgo Nyirenda dismissed the claims, saying they were exaggerated .
He said: “There is no truth in all that. The truth of the matter is that except for three players, Ernest Kakhobwe, Miracle Gabeya and Precious Phiri, the other players have signed their contracts.
“The three players said they needed to consult their managers before committing to the contracts.
“In fact, the three players have been given up to Friday to sign the contracts since we do not have much time ahead of the new season.”
Nyirenda also disclosed that new players, defender Hadji Wali formerly of Silver Strikers and former Ntopwa FC midfielder Mphatso Magaleta have both signed three-year contracts.
