Six Nyasa Big Bullets players loaned to Bangwe All Stars and Ekwendeni Hammers have accused their parent club of delaying to pay them their signing-on fees.

The TNM Super League champions loaned out Felix Demakude, Chikumbutso Salima, Rahaman John, Yamikani Mologeni, Chimwemwe Yassin, White Kisten, Mphatso Mageleta and Emmanuel Saviel to other topflight league sides.

Chikumbutso Salima

The players, who were promoted from Bullets Reserves, signed contracts with Bullets on April 3 and, according one of the players’ manager Mike Mdala, they were supposed to be paid the signing-on fees by April 10.

However, he said the People’s Team have not honoured the contractual agreement despite several reminders.

“The agreement was that they would pay the signing-on fees in April. But up to now they have not paid even a single penny.

“We have been trying to remind them to pay the signing-on fees but to no avail.We respect Bullets as abig brand that’s why we have tried to approach the issue by engaging them.”

But Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga, while confirming that they are yet to pay the signing-on fees, insisted that it was within the agreed payment schedule.

He said: “We have a payment schedule for the signing-on fees. According to that schedule, we have not breached the contractual agreement. Our schedule shows that we will pay them the signing-on fees at the end of this month.”

However, Mdala insisted that the agreement was that Bullets would pay the players in April and not June.

He said: “That is not true. We signed the contract on April 3 which was a Monday. Bullets were supposed to pay the signing-on fees by April 7 which was a Good Friday holiday. So, we reminded them of the payment after Easter holidays on Tuesday April 11. But they said we should wait. We reminded them several times, but up to now they haven’t paid anything.

“Had it been they told us that they would pay the signing-on fees in June, we could not have been here complaining. The contract is very clear. That’s why our patience is running out.”

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) club licencing and compliance manger Casper Jangale said clubs are obliged to honour their contractual obligations on signing-on fees.

He said: “The players have a right to demand their signing-on fees based on what they agreed. Most of the times, players fall victim to clubs on signing on fees. We have cases where some players even retired without getting their signing-on fees.”

The TNM Super League champions opted to loan out the players instead of promoting them to the senior side in a bid to ensure they have game time in the topflight league.

The players have been impressive at their clubs and Salima has earned a Malawi National Football Team call-up for Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia.

He had his debut with the Flames in an international friendly against Mozambique which ended one-all on Wednesday.

His teammate Mologeni has also been outstanding as he was named Man of the Match in a recent TNM Super League match against Mighty Wakawaka Tigers.

Magaleta has also been enjoying game time at Ekwendeni Hammers while goalkeeper John has featured in four matches.

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