Cosmos dodge offers
In a new twist to Muhamad Sulumba and MiciumMhone’s prospective deals, South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Jomo Cosmos has swiftly dodged a total R950 000 (about K32.3 million), which Blantyre United and Blue Eagles offered for the two players.
Instead, the Johannesburg-based outfit has counter-offered to sign them on loan.
A well-placed source confided in The Nation that United made a R400 000 (about K15.2 million) offer for Sulumba while Eagles came up with a R450 000 (about K17.1 million) offer.
Cosmos local representative Ben Chiwaya yesterday confirmed having received offers from the two teams and that his boss Jomo Sono, who doubles as Cosmos owner and coach, had counter-offered.
“I am not obliged to disclose how much the two clubs offered, you can get the figures from them if you like, but I can confirm that we have counter-offered loan deals instead with an option to buy them after a season,” said Chiwaya from Lilongwe yesterday.
He also said Cosmos are still waiting for the two clubs’ response.
Asked whether the loan counter-offers involve fees, Chiwaya was elusive, saying: “I would rather not comment on that for now.”
Chiwaya could also not say what will happen in the event that one or both teams turn down the counter-offers, considering that the two players already signed contracts with Cosmos.
“That is an issue for another day because for now they have not turned down the counter-offers, so let us not assume that they will,” he said.
Eagles chairperson Happy Mkandawire confirmed the development, but referred The Nation to general secretary Ackis Muwanga.
“I can confirm that we did send an offer to Cosmos and I am aware that they have made a counter-offer, but we will meet tomorrow [today] to discuss their counter-offer and then map the way forward, as for the figures, you can get in touch with our GS,” he said.
On his part, Muwanga said he could not divulge the figures because the issue is still under discussion.
“Since they have made a counter-offer, we feel there is no reason why we should disclose the actual offer that we made, suffice to say our priority is to ensure that the deal should benefit the player because in the long run, it will improve his welfare and also benefit the nation.
“When the appropriate time comes to disclose the figures, we will do so as we have nothing to hide. We are very transparent in our transactions, but for now, we would rather keep it under wraps until everything is finalised,” said Muwanga.
United’s technical director Lawson Nakoma could not be reached for comment.
