adminTadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
CAPS United defender Oscar Machapa’s quest to get a reverse international clearance from AS Vita Club to enable him to play for the Green Machine has suffered a major setback after the Congolese giants demanded $70 000 from Makepekepe.
The big utility player still has a running contract with AS Vita, but decided to return home claiming his security was not assured in Kinshasa.
Machapa was included in Lloyd Chitembwe’s team after he was roped in to replace captain Hardlife Zvirekwi who was injured in a car accident.
But, the Zimbabwe international, could be forced to sit out of the team as AS Vita Club have demanded $70 000 from Makepekepe.
The Green Machine signed a good number of players who include Simba Nhivi, Method Mwanjali, Milton Ncube and Machapa, most of whom were free agents.
But, Mwanjali and Machapa could not get clearances from their former clubs in time to start playing for Makepekepe.
Mwanjali, though, is expected to get his clearance soon as his old club Simba of Tanzania after his contract was terminated.
But, it’s a different story for Machapa.
“The team he (Machapa) was playing for in the DRC, AS Vita Club, didn’t release him but he instead returned home as he claimed he feared for his life,’’ sources said.
“He decided to settle for CAPS United as he thought it would be easy to get the reverse international clearance.
“But, the club (AS Vita) are now demanding $70 000 which CAPS United are not in a position to pay.
“As it stands, Machapa will not feature for CAPS as getting the clearance is not that simple as things stand.’’
CAPS chief executive Cuthbert Chitima said they were still waiting for a response from AS Vita to the e-mails requesting the clearance.
“We have written to AS Vita Club for the player to be given the clearance. It seems the club are not very comfortable using English,” said Chitima.
Online Reporter