OBRIEL chirinda IS OUR BOY, SAY BYO CHIEFS

Eddie Chikamhi

BULAWAYO Chiefs insist they still have a “running contract,” until end of 2024, with Soccer Star of the Year second runner-up, Obriel Chirinda.

This is despite Dynamos’ desire to acquire him as a free agent on January 1.

The free agent status is premised on the basis that Chiefs did not fulfil their contractual obligations to the 26-year-old forward this year.

Chiefs secretary-general. Dumisani Sibanda, yesterday told Zimpapers Sports that Chirinda was still in their plans unless they received an offer that is difficult to resist.

“I’ve been out of town for the last 10 days but as far as I know he still has a running contract with us, until the end of 2024.

“He can only be a free agent afterwards.

“To dat,e we haven’t negotiated with any club about his services, unless it happened in my absence in the last 10 days, of which I have not heard anything to that effect from the office.

“So, Chirinda is a very much Bulawayo Chiefs player, at least, until the end of 2024,” said Sibanda.

Chirinda has been pushing for the termination of his contract as his owed substantial amounts by the club.

Chiefs are reported to have breached the contract by failing to honour their part of the agreement and the issue is set to be handled by the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe.

FUZ president, Desmond Maringwa. Said:

“Indeed, he hinted that there was an issue that he wanted FUZ to assist him with. I’m not sure about the nature of the challenge because nothing has been made official.

“As FUZ, we are always ready to assist both players and clubs to find each other in case of a dispute, but in this instance we have not received the complaint. If there is, indeed, a breach, then there are processes that need to be followed,” said Maringwa.

Sibanda said they were ready to entertain offers for the forward.

“He is someone who has done really well this year and as a result has attracted the attention of many clubs and is wanted everywhere.

“Obviously, some clubs have been said to be interested in the boy but we are still to get any offer.

“If there is a reasonable offer for his services, there is no reason for the club to deny him a move to greener pastures. It’s about the offer to the boy and to the club.”