Online Reporter
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CHRISTMAS has come early for former Highlanders, Hwange and Ngezi Platinum coach Bongani Mafu, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld a ruling ordering Ngezi Platinum Stars to pay him US$196 750 for unlawful dismissal.
Mafu, who served as Benjani Mwaruwari’s assistant, was fired in July 2022, just four months into his contract, with the club citing poor performance after 16 matches. Both coaches had been hired that March on lucrative long term deals by one of the Premier Soccer League’s best funded teams.
The case first went before the FIFA Players Status Committee, which ruled in Mafu’s favour. Ngezi, represented by BDP Attorneys of Cape Town, appealed to CAS, but their case quickly crumbled.
On October 13, CAS arbitrator Kwadjo Adjepong ruled that Ngezi’s appeal was inadmissible, confirming the earlier FIFA decision from September last year. It means Mafu’s payout stands, and the club must also shoulder part of his legal fees.
Mafu had signed a contract on March 20, 2022, valid until December 31, 2026. Ngezi’s unilateral decision to terminate his deal in July 2022 opened the door to the legal battle.
The club claimed its technical team failed to meet performance targets, but FIFA’s records show Ngezi repeatedly ignored communication about the case. By May 28, 2023, the 10-day response window had lapsed, forcing FIFA to proceed without their submissions.
On August 27, 2023, FIFA partially upheld Mafu’s claim and ordered the club to pay US$196 750, rejecting any additional demands.
When Ngezi later asked FIFA for the grounds of that ruling, their request, sent by email alone on September 20, 2023, was found to violate procedural rules. CAS noted that the appeal was filed too late, making the decision final and binding.
In its ruling, CAS said Ngezi’s arguments,including claims of communication issues and challenges to FIFA’s jurisdiction, were inadmissible. The arbitrator added that the club’s failure to act within deadlines showed negligence.
The case, officially recorded as CAS 2024/A/10880 Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v. Bongani Mafu & FIFA, saw the Mhondoro based side represented by Lyrique du Plessis, while Mafu’s counsel was Pierre-Xavier Luciani of Luciani Avocats SA in Lausanne, Switzerland. FIFA’s interests were handled by Rodrigo Morais, Senior Legal Counsel at its Florida office.
Speaking from the UK yesterday, Mafu said he was not yet in a position to comment on the case.
Meanwhile, his former boss, Benjani Mwaruwari, has also lodged a separate US$600 000 claim, a development that has reportedly left the club and its sponsors anxious.
CAS remains sport’s highest legal authority, and for Mafu, the decision caps a long battle that could have been avoided had Ngezi opted for an out of court settlement.
