Lanjesi stays put at Civo

Civo United international defender John Lanjesi is staying put at the Lilongwe Super League outfit, claiming they have promised to match what he was being offered by Blantyre-based Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers.
“In view of this, we are now working towards renewing my contract which expires this April. Management has promised to meet some of my demands such as better perks and acquiring a piece of land, which tops my priority list,” said Lanjesi yesterday.
“I have established myself here. I want to continue cementing my position and take my game to the next level. The aim is to continue getting national team call-ups, which are based on club form.”
Lanjesi insisted that he was not merely using Bullets and Wanderers’ interest as pawns to bargain for an improved package at Civo.
“Playing for Bullets and Wanderers is a matter of pride and a dream of every player. Playing in CAF Champions League is also an exciting prospect, but sometimes it is not good to make hurried decisions,” he said.
Earlier, Civo general secretary Rashid Mtelela insisted that while he received reports that other teams are targeting three players, there is no official offer on his table.
Wanderers general secretary Mike Butao and his Bullets counterpart Harold Fote, save for saying Lanjesi is a player they would love to sign, were elusive on their interest in the defender.
Meanwhile, Civo United, who have gone trophyless in five seasons, have set their targets high for the 2015 season expected to start in April.
Civo set the targets following a postmortem of the 2014 TNM Super League season when they finished fourth in what was their best position on the league chart in many seasons.
According to Mtelela, the postmortem appreciated several challenges that affected the club’s league form.
“There were some challenges, especially in the first-round where we dropped points unnecessarily. However, we were encouraged by how the team performed and we would love to continue from there next season. We might get some three senior players to beef up the squad; otherwise, we have a youth team that provides us players,” said Mtelela.
Coach Oscar Kaunda said they expect to regroup next month for preparations. Civo finished last season on 45 points, which was 17 below league winners’ Big Bullets’ tally.
“Last season, we improved our league performance, but as a coach, I would love to win some trophy next season,” he concluded.