Wanderers fail to meet Tambe’s demands

Be Forward Wanderers have disclosed that they failed to renew midfielder Ernest Tambe’s contract because they did not have money to honour his signing-on fee.

Tambe on Wednesday signed for Silver Strikers as a free agent after a two-year spell at Wanderers where he won the league title in 2017 and the Fisd Challenge Cup last year.

Reacting to his departure, Wanderers vice-general secretary Chulu Mkangama said they tried to tie the former Wizards star to a new deal, but they did not have money for his signing-on fees.

Mkangama could not disclose the amount, but inside sources said the agreed signing-on fee was K3.3 million.

“We agreed on a fee, but he wanted the money instantly which we didn’t readily have. We asked him to be patient, but he wasn’t and ended up signing for another club,” he said.

Wanderers, recently also failed to permanently sign defender Precious Sambani, who joined rivals Nyasa Big Bullets after his loan agreement expired.

The vice-general secretary said they are disappointed that they have lost another versatile player.

“Ernest is a good player. He was the future of the club. It is sad that we have lost him. We wish him the best in his new mission,” he said.

Meanwhile, Silver Strikers general secretary Lawrence Yobe hailed Tambe as a versatile player who will bring stability in the central midfield and blend well with our style of passing and knocking the ball.”

Meanwhile, Tambe has confirmed leaving Wanderers because of the signing-on fee disagreements: “Signing-on fee is supposed to be given when you are signing the contract. This is not what Wanderers wanted. So, I chose to look for other opportunities.”

In an interview the player said he has always wanted to join Silver.

“When the club came calling, I made myself available.”

“I am hopeful that I will achieve great things here because Silver is an equally ambitious club,” the Under-23 vice-captain said.