By Michael Imianvan
Malomo, meaning “Do not go again” in English, the only fitting way to start this, you’d know why soon.
It was on Monday 26th of June when #NPFLTransferWithMike tweeted Taofeek Malomo’s exit from Shooting Stars football club of Ibadan, after three years in Adamasingba.
Days after, a media parley ended with Shooting Stars board insisting that they will do all in their power to keep the player. A promise they kept.
Expectedly, the offers, this time, new ones coming from other clubs.
Taofeek Malomo: Akwa United is First Out Of The Bidding Block
First, Akwa United. Elder Paul Bassey made contact with the representative of the midfielder while doing his best to present Akwa United’s project and how working with Fatai Osho in a state like Akwa Ibom would be an advantage to the player.
With the offer still in consideration, Enyimba sent in a bid worth over 4million naira but it was a proposal described by Malomo’s representative as “needed to be well digested”.
The above was also amplified by the uncertainty around the People’s Elephant management.
Knowing fully well that the bids were coming in for Malomo Taofeek, the management of Shooting Stars moved swiftly and first action was to have a conference call with the player’s representative.
The call involved the ENTIRE board in a bid to convince the player’s representative on the terms and conditions and so, they did everything to extend Malomo Taofeek contract by a year until 2024.
The Lifeline To Shooting Stars
As much as the player had proper representation, it is important to note that Malomo made the contract demands himself, including the final decision.
“If 3SC can meet my terms, I’ll stay” – Malomo’s emphatic statement to his rep. And with that sorted, Malomo Taofeek became one of the top earners in the club.
His decision as I understand was also helped by the show of love he gets from fans on each matchday. The player felt the need to pay the fans back by signing an extension.
“I have never been lucky with you as regards a player” – echoed Enyimba’s Sporting director, Mr Jude Ayanfudu when the rep of Malomo got back to Enyimba that the player would now stay in Ibadan.
Speaking to MikeThePundit after sealing the deal, Malomo’s representative reaffirmed that “Shooting Stars gave us what we wanted and it would have been difficult to move Malomo further from Enyimba.”
The Bendel Insurance Angle
There is also the tiny detail of a Bendel Insurance interest which the agent considered as an old way of negotiations. The Benin Arsenal insisting that Malomo has to show up in Benin first before negotiating for the player.
With a superb close control of the ball, quick thinking and immaculate passing. Malomo can score goals but also has a special skill in helping others to score.
Mainly an attacking midfielder can operate on either flank and anywhere on the offensive spine of the team. His incredible skillset allows for tactical maneuvering at a whim knowing the player will put up stellar performances regardless of his position on the pitch.
While there is more to improve on the youngster overall play, the signs are there for him to become the finished product you expect from a footballer.
In continuing his growth, 3SC had to dig deep into their salary structure to ensure the player stays with them.
1 Comment
Nice read but it will be worthy of note to explain the terms with which he extended the contract. Thanks for the beautiful things you’re doing. Cheers