Chronicle Editor
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Premier Soccer League Golden Boot winner, Norman Maroto has pleaded with football authorities to resolve the transfer wrangle that has kept Obriel Chirinda on the sidelines since the start of the season.
The Zifa Player Status Committee is expected to deliberate on Chirinda’s status, but there are concerns that the matter might drag on for the rest of the season if authorities do not treat it as an urgent matter, which affects the footballer’s livelihood.
Chirinda has missed 11 games for Ngezi Platinum Stars, including 10 in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, after Dynamos stopped the release of his licence arguing that he had already signed a contract with them in December last year before later joining the reigning league champions.
Despite an injury setback, Chirinda was in top form last season and earned a Warriors call-up in the process. He finished as the runner-up in the Golden Boot race after scoring 12 league goals for Bulawayo Chiefs, one behind the winner Takunda Benhura of Ngezi Platinum. Chirinda was also voted the second runner-up in the Castle Soccer Star of the Year awards.
However, his career took a plunge amid fraud claims by Dynamos, who gave him a sign-on fee in December on the basis that he was a free agent after Bulawayo Chiefs had defaulted on his salary during the course of the season.
Bulawayo Chiefs fought back and argued that their contract with Chirinda was still valid until December 31 this year.
Ngezi Platinum then snatched Chirinda much to the chagrin of Dynamos, who flexed their muscle and stopped the release of his licence for the 2024 season. As a result, Chirinda missed the Castle Lager Challenge Cup between Ngezi Platinum and Dynamos at the Baobab together with the 10 league matches to date.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, former Dynamos and Gunners hit-man Maroto on Sunday said there was need for Chirinda to go through any disciplinary process if need be, as opposed to being sidelined without a single charge being laid against him.
“A player’s career is short and there is a need for quick remedies to career-related issues. He has suffered enough. Imhosva rudzii isingatongwe? #Justice4 Chirinda,” he posted.However, most of the responses seemed to endorse the current state of affairs arguing that Chirinda had committed football fraud by signing two contracts.
Maroto insisted that he was not defending any crime that Chirinda might have committed but wanted the player to appear before a disciplinary board, so that he knows his fate as he is barred from playing but without any charge nor trial.
“Even a murderer is charged and tried before a court and gets to live his life knowing how many years he will be behind bars. Chirinda should also undergo a trial.”
Maroto says Chirinda should have been allowed to play matches for Ngezi Platinum while awaiting any disciplinary processes from the football authorities.“It’s important to acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes in their lives. Let’s be honest and objective about this — none of us are perfect.
In our community, there may be those who have at some point broken the law. But the question is, do we simply cast them aside?
“What happens if he is found innocent during the disciplinary hearing? Who will compensate for all the time lost? It’s important to note that talent tends to erode when not being active,” said Maroto as he battled opposition from those who believe Chirinda deserves the ordeal.
Online Reporter