Scorchers striker signs for Nigerian top club

Scorchers and Skippers FC striker Fazila Chiyembekeza has signed a year-long loan deal with Nigerian top-flight women’s football champions, River Angels FC.

Both Chiyembekeza and Skippers’ administration manager Linda Kasenda have confirmed the development, saying all the processes for the player to join the Nigeria Women’s Premier League team have been finalised.

Before her departure through the Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe on Friday, the Malawi national women’s football team forward said she was happy with the deal.

“It feels great to land a deal with a top Nigerian club that also has players from other countries. They are a big club that will help me to further improve my skills and probably help me clinch deals in Europe,” Chiyembekeza said.

Kasenda said the Nigerian club spotted the player during the Malawi national women’s football team’s engagements at last year’s Council of Southern Africa Football Associations  Women’s Championship in South Africa, where the Scorchers reached the final for the first time following a historic 2-3 semi-final victory over hosts and holders South Africa’s Banyana Banyana.

She said the player has signed a year-long performance-based loan deal and the two clubs have agreed that Skippers, who are the former national champions, will get a percentage cut once Chiyembekeza clinches a deal with another club while at River Angels FC.

“Apart from receiving a salary, our player will be provided with free food, accommodation and internal transport. The Nigerian club will also be giving Chiyembekeza a return air-ticket whenever she wants to come home on holidays. As Skippers, we are satisfied with the deal,” she said.

River Angels FC already started their league title defence bid last month.