Thindwa deal in fresh controversy

Ishmael Thindwa’s request to terminate his contract at Caps United has hit a snag. His former club Epac United has warned the Zimbabwe outfit against making any decision on the future of the striker until it pays the K1 million ($1,670) transfer fee balance.

Epac owner Dini Josaya Banda’s remarks come a month after Thindwa, currently on loan at Be Forward Wanderers, penned Caps to cancel his two-year deal in protest against their failure to pay him salary arrears, game bonuses and signing on fee amounting to K4.5 million.

But speaking in an interview on Wednesday, Josaya said he would contest any Caps decision on the forward’s contract because they have not honoured his transfer agreement.

Thindwa joined Caps for a transfer fee of K5 million ($8,352) of which K1 million has not been remitted. His contract is set to expire in December next year.

Said Josaya: “We partly own the player because Caps haven’t paid us the balance. It will, therefore, be a breach of contract if they make a decision on his future before they honour the agreement.”

The Epac sponsor also disclosed that they inserted a clause in Thindwa’s transfer contract which will earn the club part of the transfer fee if he is sold to another club.

“This means that we are supposed to be part of every decision they will make on Ishmael. As of now, we haven’t received any communication from Caps on his intention to end his contract,” Josaya said.

Asked what action he will take if a decision is made to sell the player or cancel his contract, the Epac owner said: “We will sit down as a club and explore all legal options we can take.”

Meanwhile, Thindwa’s manager Roy Mdechi said he was aware that Caps still owe Epac part of the transfer fee but emphasised that the issue can be dealt with by the two clubs.

“What my client wants is to be free from Caps. The transfer matters will be handled by the clubs themselves,” he said.

Mdechi further said that the Zimbabwe club was this week expected to communicate its decision on Thindwa’s request to terminate his deal.

“I have been in touch with the club officials. They said they met this week so we should expect to know their stand in a couple of days.”

Meanwhile, Football Association of Malawi transfer matching system manager Casper Jangale said even if Thindwa’s contract is terminated Caps will still have to pay the transfer fee balance.

“According to transfer rules even if a player dies, a buying club is supposed to honour the full payment. So in any case, Caps will still have to honour its agreement with Epac,” he said. n