Richard Chipuwa sidelined
Former Be Forward Wanderers and Flames goalkeeper, Richard Chipuwa will wait until June to start playing for his Mozambican side, Chingale FC, due to the late issuance of his international transfer certificate.
Speaking from his base in Tete, Chipuwa said the team’s officials told him that he could not be featured because the clearance was completed after the closure of the transfer window.
“At first, I was thinking of returning home just to get some game-time as my clearance was taking long to be processed. But I have been assured of a place in the team come June when the transfer window re-opens, so I will be patient,” Chipuwa explained.
He said hav ing moved to Chingale in January and participated in the team’s pre-season engagements, he was itching to impress his new employers.
“They told me to continue training hard as they look for ways of bailing me out of this mess. So, I will stay put,” said Chipuwa, who also spoke of his desire to return to the Flames set-up.
Chipuwa has found himself in a similar predicament with another Mozambique-based ‘keeper, Simplex Nthala, who is also sidelined at Maxaquene FC until June.
Mozambique league authorities suspended Nthala for a year for attacking a referee. He denies the offence.
The inactivity of the keepers has affected their Flames’ performances, leaving coach Ernest Mtawali with little options, but to feature up-and-coming, Brighton Munthali.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Transfer Matching System Manager, Casper Jangale, said having signed a contract with the club, Chipuwa had no choice, but to wait until June.
“It is all about Mozambique’s football calendar. As Fam, there is nothing we can do about it. The matter is beyond us and can only be handled by the football federation in Mozambique,” Jangale noted.
Chipuwa is among many Malawian footballers who are trekking to Mozambique for greener pasture.
Interestingly, Chipuwa’s name appears on the list of players Wanderers have earmarked for the 2016 season. The keeper is on a six-month loan at Chingale from Wanderers.
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