Flames striker Richard Mbulu yesterday failed to travel to Iraq to join his new club Al-Najaf after his employers Malawi Defence Force (MDF) asked him to resign if he wants to go.

The striker clinched the deal with the Iraq outfit popularly known as Ghizian Al-Badiah (Desert Gazelles) last month as a free agent after he was released by South African side Baroka FC at the beginning of the season.

Mbulu was supposed to fly to the club’s base in Najaf, a city in central Iraq about 160 kilometres south of Baghdad, yesterday, but in an interview said he was not travelling.

Did not follow procedures: Mbulu

He said: “I am not travelling. Hopefully, after all procedures are done, I will still go to Iraq to join my new club.”

Apparently, Mbulu, a sergeant, did not involve MDF in his recent deal like he has done in his past deals with Mozambique side Costa do Sol in 2017 and Baroka FC in 2019.

And when he asked for permission to leave, MDF gave him an option to either stay or go to Iraq after resigning.

MDF spokesperson Major Emmanuel Mlelemba said the player did not follow procedure as a service member.

He said: “Has the team officially communicated to MDF on its intention? Malawi Defence Force has always supported him and will not block him in anyway. All that is needed is to follow correct procedures which he is aware of as a service member.”

Mbulu caught the attention of Costa do Sol after winning the TNM Super League Golden Boot Award in 2016 with 19 goals.

He then moved to South Africa to join Baroka on a three-year deal in 2019 where he scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 75 appearances.

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