Some Malawian footballers have said players are now flocking to Zimbabwe because they are offered better perks, a departure from the recent past trend when they were heading to Mozambique and Zambia. Last season, seven players, goalkeeper William Thole, defenders Gomezgani Chirwa, Nickson Mwase and Mark Fodya, midfielder Precious Phiri and strikers Vincent Nyangulu and Khuda Muyaba signed for Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League (PSL) sides. Three more, defender Maxwell Paipi, and strikers Chawanangwa Kaonga and Lloyd Njaliwa have followed suit ahead of the new season.
In an interview on Wednesday, Nyangulu, who has just parted ways with FC Platinum, disclosed that he was offered an equivalent of K27 million as signing-on fee and K6 million as salary “which is far more than what our clubs here offer. In Malawi my highest salary was K480 000 and you can see that there is a big difference”. Nyangulu said at the time he left the country, each player was getting K75 000 at his former club as game bonus for a win while at FC Platinum they were getting an equivalent of not less than K2.5 million each.
He also claimed that in Zimbabwe, the signing-on fee is paid once unlike in Malawi where it is paid in instalments. “No wonder, we have seen so many players from Malawi flocking to Zimbabwe,” he added. Another player who has just signed for a Zimbabwean team and asked for anonymity said: “Apart from accommodation, I have been offered a good salary which is about six times more than what I was getting here.
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The signing-on fee and game bonus are also attractive. “With what I have been offered, I will be able to invest massively.” Zimbabwe-based coach Joseph Kamwendo, who was the first foreigner to win the Soccer Star of the Year Award in that country, echoed Mwaungulu’s sentiments, saying: “Zimbabwean teams offer good perks. The setup is also professional and the money is good.
“They earn a fortune that side and I will try to help more players clinch deals because it will also help improve our national team.” Football marketing consultant Felix Ngamanya Sapao could not agree more. “The perks are good that side, Zimbabwean clubs pay better salaries and it’s in US dollars. In addition, Zimbabwe clubs find Malawian players more affordable compared to players from other countries, making Malawi talent an attractive option,” he said. Flames legend Kinnah Phiri said the situation is not surprising as Zimbabwean clubs invest more in player welfare, “which is not always the case in Malawi”.
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