Baroka FC defender Abdi Banda recently shared his thoughts on the dispute with Chippa United that resulted in the club receiving a FIFA transfer ban.
The Tanzanian international revealed how the situation unfolded and what led to the eventual settlement.
FIFA Ban and Settlement with Chippa United
In November 2023, Chippa United, also known as the “Chilli Boys,” were hit with a FIFA ban, preventing them from making transfers.
This came after the club prematurely terminated Banda’s contract, just one season after he had joined.
Reports indicated that Chippa United had failed to honor a settlement agreement of around R1.2 million.
Fortunately, the issue was resolved by January 2024, when Chippa United settled the matter with Banda, allowing them to be cleared by FIFA.
Following this, Banda moved on to Richards Bay FC before making his way back to Baroka FC in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Abdi Banda’s Reaction to His Contract Termination
When asked about his unexpected contract termination at Chippa United, Banda expressed his surprise.
“I honestly don’t know what happened,” Banda told FARPost.
He explained that after what he thought was a solid season, he went home for the holidays.
While there, he received an email informing him that his contract had been terminated.
Banda added that the club didn’t offer any explanation for their decision.
“Maybe my performance wasn’t good, but they never spoke to me or gave me any reason.
As a player, you just have to accept these things and move on,” he said, revealing how he quickly sought a new team to continue his career.
Banda’s Decision to Challenge Chippa United
Despite the shock, Banda chose to take the matter to FIFA, as his contract still had one year remaining.
“I decided to challenge them, and FIFA ended up making them pay my contract,” he explained.
Banda admitted that the situation wasn’t easy, as he knew there was a chance he would face Chippa again on the field.
“It’s tough as a player because you don’t want to feel that discomfort when playing against your former team,” Banda said.
He shared that he still feels uneasy when facing Chippa United in matches.
Banda’s Relationship with Chippa United’s Management
Despite the legal dispute, Banda maintains a positive relationship with Chippa United’s chairman, Chippa Mpengesi.
“I have a good relationship with Mr. Mpengesi. I’m certain it wasn’t him who terminated my contract,” Banda said.
He expressed that if Mpengesi had made the decision, he would have been informed directly.
Instead, the news came through an email from the club’s management, which left Banda in the dark about the reasons behind their decision.
What’s Next for Banda?
With the Chippa United chapter behind him, Banda has moved forward, focusing on his career at Baroka FC.
As he looks to the future, it’s clear that the experience with Chippa has shaped his outlook, but he remains committed to progressing in his football journey.