Young Buffaloes hit Jackpot following E250k payout 

By Lwazi Dlamini

Young Buffaloes have hit a jackpot! Not only have the army side clinched the MTN League 2022/2023 season first round E100 000 incentive but they have earned a sum of E250 000 from the transfer of defender Lindo Mkhonta to the top Zambian side, Zesco United.

The Eswatini Financial Times has established from highly impeccable sources in Zambia that ‘Team Ya Ziko’, as Zesco United is affectionately known, has agreed on an E250 000 transfer fee and will be giving the Sihlangu captain a sum of E150 000 as a signing-on-fee.

“His salary has been fixed at E50 000 and there is also a winning bonus which amounts to E8 000 per match. It’s a good deal for both player and club,” said our highly placed source.

The Sihlangu defender has penned a two-year deal with an option to renew. He could make as much as E1.2 million in salaries in the two-year contract.

The player’s agent, Dingaan Maduma confirmed that the deal has been sealed and paperwork is being finalized for the player’s contract.

“I can’t reveal the exact figures but it is over E200 000 for the transfer and the rest are personal terms for the player. He is very happy and the Zambian team is also happy. It’s a good deal for him,” Maduma said.

Maduma revealed that Mkhonta will be handed jersey number 20 at the top Zambian Super League side based in Ndola, in the copper belt.
“For now, he is staying in a five-star hotel but he will be moving to a new house by Monday. The club will be paying for his rent too as part of the deal,” he said.

Young Buffaloes Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sandile Gwebu could only confirm the transfer of the defender but stressed that it is against the club policy to discuss financial issues with the media.

“This shows that the country’s football is improving and Lindo has opened doors for more players to go and play internationally. If local players are playing outside the country, the national team, Sihlangu will benefit,” he said.

Mkhonta’s transfer is the biggest for a local player after Royal Leopard transferred winger Bonginkhosi ‘Manyovu’ Dlamini to Angola’s Grupo Desportivo Sagrada Esperanca for E300 000 in January 2022.