Wanderers caught off-guard on Chester

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers say they have been caught off-guard with the news that midfielder Yamikani Chester is in Mozambique for trials after committing to extend his stay at Lali Lubani Road.

Nomads spokesperson Clement Stambuli said in an interview yesterday that they had a good meeting with the player and his manager Gift Mkandawire where conditions of a new deal were agreed.

He said: “We are surprised with the turn of events because the reason we included Chester on our final [25-member] squad for the 2023 season was based on the agreement we reached.

“So, on our part, we cannot comment much.”

On his part, Mkandawire, a former Nomads chairperson, said: “Yes, we had discussions with Wanderers, but we did not sign a contract, for now that is all I can say.”

He said the player is on trials at Mozambican top-flight Mocambola side Costa do Sol.

“He will be there until the 20th of February,” said Mkandawire.

He could not commit on whether Chester will still sign for Wanderers should things not work out at the Mozambican side.

“Almost not there considering how things have gone in the recent past,” he said.

Chester’s previous six-month contract with the Nomads expired in December and negotiations to extend the deal fell through a fortnight ago when the two parties announced that they would be parting ways.

This was after the Nomads offered the player K6 million for a three-year deal while the player demanded K7.5 million for the same period with an upfront K5 million payment.

But the two parties entered into fresh negotiations which led to Wanderers including Chester on their final squad for next season.