Africa-Press – Eswatini. South Africa’s (SA) second tier side TTM ex-goalkeeper Bongani Manavhela’s move to report Mbabane Highlanders to FIFA has taken a blow.
TTM is an acronym for Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila, Premier Soccer League (PSL) outfit under SA’s second tier league. Impeccable sources at Highlanders and in SA have claimed that the goalkeeper, who joined the Eswatini outfit in February this year during the second window was left to fend for himself in his pursuit of a contract breach matter, with the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA). Manavhela was last weekend reported to have taken Highlanders to the world football governing body.
This follows the goalkeeper claiming he was owed a signing-on fee, which he has refused to reveal the figure involved, to date. He unceremoniously left the black and white outfit due to the allegedly unpaid signing-on fee early last month without playing a single game. “His South African legal representatives have dropped him for double standards but you can check with the Highlanders MD, who is handling the player’s matter,” an impeccable source said. Investigations into this matter revealed that Manavhela purportedly engaged the services of a Pretoria-based law firm. The latter’s name is Muhanganei Mashudu Incorporated Attorneys. “I can only confirm that Manavhela was our player shortly before he left us and later going to the media to say we owe him signing-on fee. He then again told the media he has taken Highlanders to FIFA. He involved his lawyers in his FIFA pursuit.
Surprising
“I have been called by his lawyers over the issue of the unpaid signing-on fee he claims but its surprising because they wanted to talk to me, find a peaceful solution until I sent them the Times copies to say what’s there to discuss because the matter was now with FIFA,” Highlanders Managing Director (MD) Chief Ally Kgomongwe responded when questioned about the latest on the matter. Pressed further, Kgomongwe said money was not an issue, but as the Highlanders MD, he was not aware they had agreed on a signing-on fee, as he was not personally involved in signing the goalkeeper.
“His lawyers have tried to meet with me but just this week, they dumped Manavhela for double standards. They were surprised by newspaper reports and apologised to me before saying they were off this matter,” he said. One of the texts forwarded to this publication from the law firm reads; “Sorry for that, I am no longer involved.” Meanwhile, Kgomongwe had encouraged the goalkeeper to approach him directly if he entered into a signing-on fee arrangement with the team’s management and he would be sorted out. It is understood he tried getting in touch with Kgomongwe but the latter said he cut the player off after he was allegedly disrespectful.
Appeared
The player was also sought for comment and appeared to deny this. By yesterday, there was no final response from FIFA about when would the case be given consideration. Meanwhile, Highlanders will be the third team this season to be hauled before FIFA, after Moneni Pirates and Mbabane Swallows for similar financial reasons. Pirates and Swallows parted with nothing less than E80 000 each, after FIFA verdicts that threatened them with suspension if not adhered to.
“There’s no such thing, but what my lawyer did was that he wanted peace which is why he opted to talk to the chairman and then see if we still have a good working relationship. Ally had been making empty promises to the lawyer but I and my lawyer are waiting for a response from FIFA, as they had said the secretary would return to office on Thursday which was yesterday,” Manavhela said.
He said the matter was already in FIFA’s hands and all he wanted was to get what he deserved. ‘‘I got the texts that my lawyer has dumped me, but I know Ally’s trying to hide the fact he has been ignoring you,’’ he said. The former TTM goalie got his first FIFA response on Wednesday but it was only confirming receipt of his complaint. There was no immediate contact with the lawyer in question despite an attempt to get his comment.
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