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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
FOOTBALL agent, George Deda, says Eastern Africa has become a lucrative destination for players because of the massive investments in the game.
Deda said this after completing a three-year deal for ex-Manica Diamonds and FC Platinum midfielder, Last Jesi, at Sudanese giants Al Hilal on Thursday.
The player was immediately unveiled by his new club.
Jesi travelled to Sudan last week, accompanied by Al Hilal legend, Edward Sadomba, Deda and FC Platinum midfielder, Silas Songani, who is still on trials with the club.
Manica Diamonds are set to receive their transfer fees in cash and they will also retain the 10 percent sale-on clause.
Jesi was on loan at FC Platinum when he was identified by Al Hilal during the Champions League matches.
“Jesi will have a two-bedroomed fully furnished apartment overlooking the Blue Nile and White Nile River in Khartoum’s most affluent suburb,’’ said Deda.
“All his utility bills will be paid for by the club.
“He will have use of a latest Hyundai Elantra car and will be provided with 24-hour security at his residence.’’
Although he refused to reveal the player’s signing-on fee, Deda said Jesi’s salary was very attractive.
Deda, who recently worked together with fellow manager, Gibson Mahachi, to facilitate Prince Dube’s move to Azam FC, believes some of the East African countries are making serious investments into football.
He has also brokered deals for Bruce Kangwa and Never Tigere at Azam.
All the Premiership matches in Tanzania are scheduled to be broadcast live by Azam television, this season, exposing players to a wider platform.
Already, Dube is now revered at his new club following his flying start to life in Tanzania.
“This is a grand opportunity for the player. I want to tell aspiring footballers that football is now business and they should go where the money is, they should follow the wind,’’ said Deda.
“If I am to invite you now to Khartoum, and show you the place where Last will be staying, what is in those apartments, the kind of car presented to him, it makes a mockery of other smaller European leagues and divisions.
“Life, and football, is about money.
“Sudan has quality players, Egypt has quality players, Tunisia has got quality players, you never see them going to Europe, for the simple reason their league pays much better than lower European leagues.”
Deda said trends in football were changing.
“Al-Merrikh, Al Ahly, they mean business in player transfer deals,’’ he said. “Last has just turned 25 years and, if he keeps his feet on the ground, he has six to seven years of making good money.
“Sadomba is a living legend, it takes us 30 minutes to walk down the street of Khartoum, with Sadomba, here.
“He is greeted everywhere and stopped.
“So, I believe the players should be the ambassadors of our country out there not that situation where a player is signed, goes to play and is back the other season at home.’’
Sadomba had some of the best moments of his international career at Al Hilal in a four-season spell in which he won the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup Golden Boot awards between 2009 to 2012.
In December, he was feted like a king by the United Arab Emirates Chapter of the Al Hilal fans when he was invited to Dubai, together with his wife, following his retirement.
The Zimbabwe international footballer was presented with a certificate and a gift voucher worth US$1 000.
The chairman of the Al Hilal fans, Monasir Gamblan, who is based in the United States, flew to Dubai to grace the occasion.
Online Reporter