Babatunde appeal case on video conference
Silver Strikers’ appeal against Football Association of Malawi’s decision over the transfer of striker Babatunde Adepoju will be heard through video conference on Saturday.
Wanderers reported Silver to Fam after the Central Bankers reversed their decision to sign Babatunde at the eleventh hour.
The Capital City giants had agreed an K8 million transfer fee with the Nomads to bring the Nigerian to Area 47.
Babatunde was also reported to have agree personal terms with Silver.
Fam had ruled in favour of Wanderers in the matter but Silver appealed against the determination, insisting that Babatunde was still a Nomad.
And in typical tit-for-tat fashion, Silver wrote Wanderers asking for K15 million for late Tony Chitsulo who join the Lali Lubani Road side in 2013.
Silver say the amount includes interest after Wanderers failed to honour K1.5 million which the Bankers charged for the player.
The Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored side submitted its claim to Fam early this month.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Transfer Matching Systems Manager, Casper Jangale, said the matter needed to be resolved for Babatunde’s sake.
“This issue has been long overdue. The player needs to know his fate. He needs his peace. He depends on football for a living and he needs to know where his bread will be coming from. We have therefore made arrangements to hold a hearing of the appeal via video conference with all the concerned parties,” Jangale said.
Wanderers General Secretary, Victor Maunde, said they are happy that the matter will finally come to an end.
“We are very ready to face both Silver and Fam over this issue. We already made it clear that Silver have no case here. All they are doing is just trying to delay justice. They will be shocked when we parade our witnesses who will lay all the facts bare. We have a strong case against them,” Maunde said.
Silver Chief Executive Officer, Thokozani Chimbali, declined to say much.
“Let us wait and see what happens next. Let’s talk when we cross the bridge,” Chimbali said.
Babatunde said he was looking forward to the case and would respect its outcome.
“I signed a contract with Silver and I am ready for whatever ruling Fam will make on the matter,” he said.
Besides Chitsulo, Silver have also seen other players such as Peter Wadabwa, Blessings Tembo and Lucky Malata leaving them for the Blantyre giants.
Peter Fote is a Sports Journalist with huge experience in radio and Television reporting, production and presentation. He once worked with Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and is currently working for Times Media Group.
