Nomads play tough on Sulumba’s SA trial

Mighty Be Forward Wanderers hitman Muhamad Sulumba is set to fly to South Africa tomorrow for trials at newly-promoted Premier Soccer League (PSL) outfit Jomo Cosmos. However, there appears to be a stumbling block.

Sulumba is on a season long contract at Lali Lubani Road from Blantyre United and the Nomads have said they will not release the player because United have not sought their consent.

Cosmos, through their locally-based representative Ben Chiwaya, successfully sought consent from United for the player to attend trials for a week.

“I had fruitful discussions with United who are the owners of the player and they accepted our request to release him. Our director and coach Jomo Sono was impressed with his performance during the Cosafa Cup in South Africa, but he would like to assess him further,” said Chiwaya.

He said the player is supposed to depart alongside Blue Eagles midfielder Micium Mhone whose sheer quality shone like a beacon at the regional showpiece.

“It provides them a chance to clinch better deals which is very rare these days and should they make it, the national team also stands to benefit as the PSL is more competitive and advanced,” said Chiwaya.

However, Wanderers general secretary Mike Butao said: “Sulumba was loaned to us at a fee, so he cannot go without our consent. They [United] have not even approached us. In fact, we asked Blantyre United for an outright buy way back in April and we expect to have the first option. We are still waiting for an offer.”

Reacting to the development yesterday, Nakoma claimed to have written Wanderers requesting for the player’s release.

“We are mindful of the fact that we loaned the player to them and we have since written to them seeking his release.

“After all, Sulumba is just going there for trials which should last a week or so. He is also out of this weekend’s derby [against Big Bullets] because he will be serving a two-yellow cards suspension. So, we are hopeful of reaching a mutual agreement as partners,” said Nakoma.

He also said in the event that the player cracks Cosmos’ nod after the trials, they will agree with Nomads on compensation.