Gaba’s controversy rages on

Despite Big Bullets’ denial that they did not terminate Gabadinho Mhango’s contract, FAM has produced a letter that was purportedly written by the People’s Team to that effect.

Fifa transfer matching systems (TMS) manager (Malawi) Casper Jangale showed the media the letter at Chiwembe Technical Centre on Friday.

The letter dated August 26 2013 was signed by Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire.

Jangale was clarifying Gabadinho’s status.

“This effectively means that Gabadinho is a free agent and, upon his return from South Africa, he can join a team of his choice,” said Jangale.

When contacted to react to the development, Mkandawire, who on Friday dismissed the reports, changed his tune and indirectly confirmed that the player’s contract was terminated.

However, he was quick to dismiss any sinister motives.

“If we wrote to them [FAM], it means there was no hidden motive. The letter didn’t leak to them, we copied them.

“Why did Casper not call us on the issue? He can say whatever he wants to, but we’ll benefit a lot from Gaba’s move. He will not go for free,” said Mkandawire.

However, Mkandawire could not be drawn to comment on why the player’s contract was terminated, insisting that the basis will come out at an appropriate time.

He added: “Just wait until we finalise the deal and the nation will be able to judge us.”

The move to terminate Gabadinho’s contract when he had four more years left, has raised eyebrows, especially coming at a time when he is linked with a move to South African top-league side Bloemfontein Celtic who have reportedly offered the red-hot striker a one year deal.

And in a latest development surrounding the player’s age controversy, Gabadinho’s father, Society, at the weekend came up with yet a new twist claiming that his son is 21 years old.

Society told Zodiak Broadcasting Station that his son was born in 1992 and will turn 21 shortly.

This is in contrast to what Big Bullets told our sister newspaper Weekend Nation that Gabadinho was born in 1993. Massa records show that he is 22 years old while official records at FAM and Fifa indicate that he was born in 1996.

Gabadinho is reported to have informed Celtic that his real age is 20.