Vitumbiko Kumwenda moving forward
Blue Eagles midfielder Vitumbiko Kumwenda has declined to rescind his decision by insisting that he resigned from the side.
Kumwenda said he paid his notice pay amounting to K102,000 through Airtel Money to Eagles.
“To that effect I have advised all stakeholders about this,” he said after officially penning Eagles and copied the letter to Football Association of Malawi (Fam) and Super League of Malawi (Sulom).
Kumwenda insisted that leaving Eagles was the best for his career as he needs to develop further.
Eagles in their second response to Kumwenda following his resignation reminded the player that he failed to state reasons for his resignation and indicate the date of resigning.
“We write to acknowledge receipt of your letter to the club on your decision to resign but we have noted that in your letter you failed to state the reasons for resigning and your letter also failed to state a date for resignation we therefore reject your decision,” reads part of the letter.
Meanwhile, reports emerging from Area 30 based side in Lilongwe indicate that the club has now given up on the player and they will allow him to join a team of his choice.
But former Malawi national football team and disbanded MDC United goalkeeper Patrick Chilambe said Kumwenda and Eagles were to blame for the contract row.
“Firstly Eagles have kept the player for about five years and never gave him a job as a policeman. What were they doing all this time? Football is a short career and they were supposed to entice him by giving him at least a job. Then I wonder why the player himself writes to the club directly. This shows that he does not have a manager and this is unhealthy. How can a Super League player in modern times operate without a manager? I expected all this talking to be done by his manager and not him,” Chimulambe said.
On the players’ intention to join Wanderers, Chimulambe said he is not sure whether the player would still be on top of his game following the transfer controversy.
“Joining Malawi Police Service would have been a good idea. Like I said football is a short term career what if he gets injured for sure the team will find his replacement. So he needs to safeguard hiss future as well,” he said.
The development comes after Wanderers’ late bid of K3.5 million was denied by Eagles. Earlier on Eagles had reduced the transfer fee from K5 million to K3.5 million. Ironically, Wanderers officials were willing to pay K3 million prompting Eagles officials to call off discussions. Later Wanderers returned to offer K3.5 million.
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.
