No deals yet

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) outfit TP Mazembe claims to have agreed transfer terms for winger Lanjesi Nkhoma and defender Lawrence Chaziya with their respective clubs, but are deadlocked on midfielder Patrick Mwaungulu’s transfer fee.

The Lubumbashi-based outfit’s local representative Felix Ngamanya Sapao said in an interview yesterday no deal has been completed yet.

He said: “We have agreed terms verbally with both FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers for Lanjesi and Chaziya, respectively, but they have not signed yet as that will only happen upon passing medical.

“As for Mwaungulu, nothing has been agreed yet because Bullets are demanding a higher fee, which is almost double the fees that has been agreed separately for the other two.”

Sapao said the former African champions gave him a budget to cover the trio’s  signing-on and transfer fees as well as salaries for two years.

He said: “Now, if we are to pay what Bullets are demanding, then it means his [Mwaungulu] salary could be affected and it could be around $2 000 [about K3.5 million], which is way below Mazembe’s standards.

“So, it wouldn’t be good because we want these players to be more or less at par.”

Sapao said if all goes according to plan, he is supposed to fly out to DRC with the players on Wednesday via Ndola to process visas.

“So,  hopefully by then we would have reached an agreement with Bullets on Mwaungulu.”

He said initially, Bullets midfielder Lloyd Aaron was also on the list.

“TP Mazembe coach recommended four players with Lanjesi as a priority, but afterwards, it was agreed that Aaron needs more time to grow as a player at Bullets.”

Sapao further disclosed that it is not automatic that all the three players will be signed by TP Mazembe as one or two of them could join its sister club Don Bosco, which also plays in the top-flight.

“It will depend on TP Mazembe’s decision,” he said.

However, Sapao could not be drawn to disclose the figures involved.

But unconfirmed reports indicate that Bullets are demanding K110 million for Mwaungulu and K70 million for Nkhoma while the Nomads reportedly want K45 million for Chaziya.

Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga yesterday said he needed to consult before commenting.

“Let me find out, then I will recert,” he said, but he had not done so at the time of going to print at 4pm.

Nomads’ chief executive officer Panganeni Ndovi said he could neither confirm nor deny the deal.

He said: “They made an offer and we are looking into it before we come up with a decision,” he said.

TP Mazembe, which is owned by Congolese business magnate and politician Moise Katumbi, is one of the richest and successful clubs on the continent.

 The club boasts five CAF Champions League and two CAF Confederation Cup honours. They were also Fifa Club World Cup runners-up in 2010.