Kaipa’s issue takes juju twist

The controversy surrounding Mighty Wanderers international left-back Bongani Kaipa has taken a dramatic twist following reports that the club reduced him to a sideshow because he declined to use juju [charms].

A senior Wanderers player who asked for anonymity claimed that Kaipa entered in bad books with the Nomads technical panel when he refused to apply juju prior to the TNM Super League match against Kamuzu Barracks which the Nomads lost 3-0

“The fact of the matter is that Bongani refused to use juju for the match against KB and this did not go down well with the technical panel and in the subsequent games he warmed the bench.

“Obviously, being a national team player, Bongani was frustrated for being reduced to a sideshow and that is why he announced his resignation,” said the player.

The story was also corroborated by an influential supporters’ committee member.

However, Nomads general secretary David Kanyenda, who heads the technical panel, yesterday brushed off the claims.

“Every player is allowed to practise his beliefs at Wanderers. There are others who are Christians while others are Muslims.

“If Bongani has not been playing, it is due to technical reasons because we are result-oriented and results have been good with or without Bongani.

“In fact, there are other players who have played fewer games than him. So, the question of juju does not arise,” said Kanyenda.

He also said the Nomads stopped using juju 10 years ago.

“It is not true that we believe in juju, to the contrary, we believe in Jesus,” said Kanyenda.

The Nomads spokesperson also claimed that Kaipa’s issue had been sorted out and they expected him to resume training yesterday.

“It was a small issue, but we were not happy that he took it to the media. He is still our player,” he insisted.

Asked what reasons he gave in his letter of resignation, Kanyenda said: “I am still not in receipt of that letter.”

Kaipa has not played in the last five games of which the Nomads have won four and drawn one.

Kaipa refused to comment on the issue.