HARARE - Dynamos have said they will demand any local side that signs Cuthbert Malajila to reimburse them money paid out to Chapungu for the strikers services, in thinly-veiled warning to bitter rivals CAPS United and Highlanders to stay away from the prolific goal scorer. Club chairman Farai Munetsi told The Zimbabwean on Sunday that Dynamos paid Chapungu about US$18 000 out of the $24 000-00 that the Airforce of Zimbabwe side want for the player. “We agreed to renegotiate with Chapungu to secure Malajila but we are saying that in the event that the talks fail, and the player moves to another local premiership side, Dynamos would ask for refund, Munetsi said.
Munetsi, however conceded that should Malajila, who has had trials with some South African clubs, secure a contract with a foreign club, DeMbare might find it difficult to recover money spent on the player.
While Malajila has been influential in the games that he has turned out of DeMbare, the Harare giants are unhappy that they have not been able to maximise returns from their investment in the player who has missed several matches while away on trials with South African teams, according to Munetsi.
“The debate was centred on whether we should pay off the balance to Chapungu or we cancel the deal completely because it was felt that the player has missed a number of games while attending trials in South Africa yet more than half of the money was paid,” he said.
Airforce of Zimbabwe officer in charge of sports Nisbert Chasakara confirmed that that Dynamos paid more than half of the transfer fee for Malajila but he said DeMbare would not get any refund should Malajila dump them for another local team. “I advice them to read the contract carefully. It is very clear on what happens should they fail to honour it. So far, I have got offers from a number of clubs. Offers are still coming,” said Chasakara.
He added that South African sides Maritzburg and Platinum Stars where Malajila went for trials were still to make up their minds on the player.CAPS United, Highlanders and Black Mambas are some of the local sides that are bidding for Malajila’s services.
Chapungu has barred Dynamos from further fielding the player after the two clubs reached a dead end on the issue following the Harare giants’ failure to honour their contractual obligations. Dynamos however, continue to defy the directive. Only last week, he was fielded in their 1-0 defeat to Esperance of Tunisia. Malajila insists that his heart is with Dynamos.
Post published in: Football