Agent reveals why Ishmael Wadi’s Stellenbosch FC move failed
Ishmael Wadi’s agent has revealed why the intended switch to DStv Premiership side Stellenbosch FC failed at the eleventh hour.
Stellenbosch were front runners to lure Ishmael Wadi from Motsepe Foundation Championship side JDR Stars.
Ishmael Wadi joined JDR Stars from CAPS United of Zimbabwe in 2021 and he became an instant hit. In his maiden season, the winger scored nine goals. Last season, the 30-year-old managed 12 goals in 25 matches.
And Wadi’s decent scoring abilities have had several teams knocking on JDR Stars’ door for the attacker’s services.
These include AmaZulu FC, Sekhukhune United, and Cape Town City. Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs were at some point mentioned among the interested teams.
Wadi was also linked to Zimbabwean giants Dynamos, but nothing materialised. This season, Ishmael Wadi is yet to feature for JDR Stars, as he nurses a knee injury.
WHY ISHMAEL WADI’S MOVE COLLAPSED
The agent, John of Royal Industries revealed that Stellenbosch and JDR Stars could not agree on the transfer fee.
Although he did not reveal the transfer fee that was pinned on Ishmael Wadi’s services, the agent said Stellenbosch were reluctant to pay the hefty charge.
“It’s unfortunate for him. He was looking forward to making the move but it didn’t happen because JDR [Stars] wanted a lot of money.
“So they ended up triggering the one-year option on his contract to stay at the team. He is injured but he remains at the South Africa club,” he said.
It remains to be seen if the Warriors international will replicate the form that saw him rise to be the club’s top goal-scorer last season.
JDR Stars are yet to win after two rounds of fixtures played in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. They settled for goalless draws, with Venda FC and La Masia before the international break.
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