Silver Strikers rebuff Township Township Rollers

By The Daily Times Last updated Aug 18, 2022

Malawi National Football Team striker Stain Davie’ s dream of playing abroad this season has gone up in smoke after his club Silver Strikers refused to release him on loan to Botswana Premier League side Township Rollers. Davie was on trial in Botswana but returned home on Sunday after the two clubs failed to reach an agreement on the player’ s move.

Davie was on trial in Botswana but returned home on Sunday after the two clubs failed to reach an agreement on the player’s move.

Silver Chief Executive Officer Thokozani Chimbali said they decided against releasing the player because they are not happy with the offer.

“They really wanted our player after he impressed them but we are not happy with their offer. So we decided to recall him,” Chimbali said.

He said the Botswana club wanted to sign Davie on a six- month loan contract.

The development means Davie could be available for the Flames as they face Mozambique in an African Nations Championship qualifier next week.

Rollers Chief Executive Officer Bennet Mamelodi confirmed that Silver gave them a cold shoulder.

“His club refused to release him to us and ordered his return to Malawi. Remember, he is carrying an injury so we wanted to mitigate the risk of an outright purchase without knowing the full extent of his ability to perform.

“It could easily have been a loan with an option to buy. But his club was not interested,” Mamelodi said in a written response.

While in Botswana, Davie played one match for Rollers and found the back of the net.

Mamelodi heaped praise on the former TN Stars striker, saying the club really wanted to sign him.

“His club needs to consider his growth and exercise some flexibility. Last season, we bought foreign strikers for a lot of money but they hardly played because of the injuries they came with.

“With the benefit of experience, we felt it prudent to manage the risk and get him here on loan with an option to buy after he fully recovers and performs on the pitch,” he said.

Davie impressed Rollers while playing for Malawi during the 2022 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup in Durban, South Africa, despite failing to score in three matches.