Alfred Gangata insists Babatunde still for Masters
By Mabvuto Kambuwe:
Masters Security FC owner, Alfred Gangata, has made a sensational claim that Be Forward Wanderers breached transfer rules and regulations when signing Nigerian striker Babatunde Adepoju on a three-year deal.
The Nigerian signed for the Nomads on Monday as a free agent, having spent a season at Masters in Lilongwe.
Gangata was not available to grant The Daily Times an interview Wednesday, but he told Zodiak Broadcasting Station that the player has a contract with Masters.
“We know that Wanderers rush to get players but they do not have money. Babatunde will not play for Wanderers and he will play for Masters. I have a three-year contract with Babatunde and, if Wanderers are not careful, they will lose their money,” Gangata said.
“I have put my foot down on the issue and I will not reverse my decision because people are taking me for a fool. Babatunde will not play football if he is not careful.”
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Babatunde Wednesday insisted that he was a Wanderers’ player.
“Tell him [Gangata] to produce evidence that I have a contract with him. I am no longer a Masters player now. I belong to Wanderers,” Babatunde said.
Recently, Masters General Secretary, Zachariah Nyirenda, was quoted in the local press as indicating that Babatunde’s contract was set to expire on December 31 2018.
Wanderers Vice-General Secretary, Chulu Mkangama, said his club followed all the procedures when signing the striker.
“We are a big club and we know the rules and regulations of transfers. He is our player and we followed every rule,” Mkangama said.
Football Association of Malawi Transfer Matching System Manager, Casper Jangale, declined to comment on the matter.
Wanderers and Nyasa Big Bullets are also embroiled in a transfer wrangle over left-back Precious Sambani, who joined the People’s Team.
Babatunde scored six goals in all competitions for Masters last season as the club won the Carlsberg Cup after beating Wanderers 5-4 on post-match penalties.
The versatile forward is considered as a direct replacement for Czech Republic-bound Yamikani Chester.
Babatunde is good at splitting the defence but lacks shooting abilities.
The Nigerian also played a pivotal role as Masters finished on position four on the TNM Super League log table with 42 points.
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