admin
Fungai Muderere
DEFENDING Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Ngezi Platinum Stars are feeling on top of the world after the Obriel Chirinda transfer saga was resolved in their favour by the Zifa Player Status Committee.
Dynamos, who lost the battle to land him, are, however, reportedly set to appeal the ruling, saying it was unfairly done. The Player Status Committee recently gave the green light to the PSL to issue Chirinda a licence and allow him to play for the defending champions.
The former Bulawayo Chiefs’ star had been involved in legal battles pitting Ngezi Platinum Stars and Dynamos since the beginning of the year after he allegedly signed contracts with both sides. As a result of the stalemate, Chirinda has been inactive for 14 games.
The Zifa Players Status Committee deliberated on his case on May 21 and asked the two clubs and the player to provide documents supporting their positions. Chirinda stated that he was approached by Dynamos coach Genesis Mangombe on December 24 last year with an offer to join his team. The player allegedly informed the coach that he was still contracted to Bulawayo Chiefs. However, the gaffer assured him that they would enter into negotiations with Amakhosi.
Chirinda is said to have been given US$4 800 by Mangombe, with an agreement that if the move did not materialise, the player would return the money. Bulawayo Chiefs later informed Chirinda that they had been approached by Ngezi Platinum for his services. Noting that Dynamos had not engaged Chiefs, Chirinda agreed to join the reigning champions before making efforts to refund Dynamos as agreed.
“As Ngezi Platinum Stars FC, we are pleased to have the matter over Obriel Chirinda’s transfer resolved in our favour and are fully focused on the rest of the season. We are thrilled to have him as part of our squad and we are certain that his addition will give more options for the coaches upfront. Chirinda has been attending training with the rest of the team, which has kept him motivated, fit and in good shape, and the club stood firmly with him during this time. Like any one of our players, it is up to the coach and his technical team to utilise him whenever they want,” said the Ngezi Platinum Stars communication department in an emailed response to this publication.
“The most important thing for us is that he is now available to play for the team. Regarding possible appeals against the Zifa Players’ Status Committee decision, we cannot speculate on that and our position remains that it would be more appropriate for Zifa or the parties involved to comment on the matter,” said Ngezi Platinun.
According to Zifa’s ruling, Ngezi Platinum followed the rules as they entered into a transfer agreement with the player’s parent club.
“We also find no fault with the conduct of Bulawayo Chiefs. They signed a contract with Ngezi Platinum only. They did not sign a contract with Dynamos FC,” reads part of the judgement.
It is against this background that the contract between Ngezi Platinum and Chirinda was declared valid and subsisting. On the other hand, the contract between Dynamos and the player, dated December 19, 2023, was therefore declared invalid and of no force and effect as it was signed while he had a running contract with Chiefs.
Meanwhile, the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) will on Saturday make a return after a two-week sabbatical to accommodate Warriors’ Fifa 2026 World Cup Qualifiers that saw them go down to Lesotho and South Africa. Initially, the league action was set to bounce back on June 21 but the postponement of the Cosafa Men’s Championship has brought the games a week earlier. Before the breather, 14 league matches had been played producing 237 goals from 126 matches. Highlanders’ Lynoth Chikuhwa is the leading top goal scorer with seven goals to his name.
Fixtures
Saturday
Yadah v Manica Diamonds (Heart Stadium), Bulawayo Chiefs v FC Platinum (Luveve), Simba Bhora v Arenel (Wadzanai), Ngezi Platinum v Chicken Inn (Baobab).
Sunday
Hwange v Greenfuel (Colliery), Highlanders v Bikita Minerals (Barbourfields), Dynamos v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro), TelOne v Caps United (Bata), Chegutu Pirates v Herentals (Baobab).
Online Reporter