In a new twist of events, Silver Strikers are demanding K15 million from Be Forward Wanderers following the controversial transfer of the late Tony Chitsulo in 2013.
It is alleged that Wanderers did not pay the transfer fee which was about K1.5 million then, seven years ago when Chitsulo swapped the sky blue jersey for the famous blue and white. Eventually, Chitsulo returned to Silver after making his debut at Wanderers.
Silver have demanded transfer fee with five percent compound interest and it is amounting to K15 million.
This is perceived to be Silver’s retaliation to the on-going transfer wrangle involving striker Babatunde Adepoju from Wanderers.
Silver who rescinded their decision to sign Babatunde have opted to resurrect Chitsulo’s case and this is contained in an appeal which the Bankers made to Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Appeals Committee.
“In the further alternative, Silver Strikers Football Club would like to lodge counterclaim against Be Forward wanderers Football Club for the sum of K1, 950,000.00 with compound interest thereon at 5 percent above the National Bank of Malawi base lending rate from 13th October 2013 to-date pursuant to a High Court judgment attached hereto.
“The interest has been calculated at K13, 505,569.70 (see calculation schedule attached) and the total amount owing is therefore K15, 454,569.72,” read part of the appeal dated March 26 2020 and signed by Silver Board of Trustees Vice Chairperson Rodrick Chataika.
It is believed that Silver intend to recover the money to use it to seal Babatunde’s transfer.
“If, which, is denied, Silver Strikers Football Club owes Be Forward Wanderers Football Club the sum of K8 million, we submit the amount claimed by Silver Strikers Football Club should set off or extinguish Be Forward Wanderers Football Club’s claims,” the appeal stated.
Silver Chief Executive Officer, Thokozani Chimbali, said they went back to the files to clear all outstanding matters.
“Remember the issue happened some years ago when we had no tribunal at Fam. In summary, Wanderers issued a cheque which bounced [referred to drawer] and they never made payment again. So we have documented everything because the money has been calculated with a compound interest rate,” he said.
However, Wanderers General Secretary, Victor Maunde, said they were unaware of Silver’s claim.
“The issue here is that Silver contravened transfer procedures when trying to offload Babatunde after signing him. We should talk about this transfer because some thought that they were clever but ended up contravening transfer procedures. If Silver have claims of several years ago so let them use proper procedures than this case,” he said.
Recently, Fam ordered Silver to pay K8 million transfer fee to Wanderers as Babatunde’s transfer from the Lali Lubani Road outfit to Area 47 side was sealed.
