Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube ,Zimpapers Sports Hub
BULAWAYO Chiefs player Anesu Saiti’s registration furore has taken a new twist with a Zifa Southern Region board member taking a shot at his colleagues.
Khumbulani Mbano, the Hwange FC administrator and also a member of the Zifa Southern Region board, on Tuesday wrote to the regional body on the alleged improper registration of Saiti, a week after Nkayi United raised similar concerns.
Blessing Mbwanda, the Zifa Southern Region spokesperson confirmed receipt of the letter.
“It is sub judice to discuss the matter which is already in the hands of our disciplinary committee,” said Mbwanda.
In the new twist, Mbano wrote: “This matter we are raising is a matter the Chairman of the Southern Region promised to engage and advice. Bulawayo Chiefs used a player, Anesu Saiti, illegally, as we feel the player was not properly registered.
“The player played for Bulawayo City Football Club during the first 12 games of the first half before playing for Bulawayo Chiefs from Week 13 on the 5th of July 2025 of the same first half period of the season. The player was on loan to Bulawayo City from Black Mambas and was cleared by his parent Club, Black Mambas, to play for Bulawayo Chiefs.”
Mbano’s bone of contention stems from the fact that Bulawayo City did not issue a clearance letter.
Bulawayo City failed to register the player online as per expectations of the league.
“The illegality of the registration was realised when Bulawayo City did not issue a clearance of the player as is demanded by the Rules and Regulations. We will emphasise that Article 18.1 of the Rules and Regulations clearly states the need for a clearance from the last Club a player played for, which is a requirement to prove the player’s standing with the club not proof of ownership of the player,” Mbano wrote.
Hwange contends that Saiti should have been cleared by either Bulawayo City or the Zifa Players Status Committee.
“We are therefore pleading with your office to look into the matter and engage all the wheels of justice to roll in order to apply appropriate sanctions according to the demands of the law. The league needs a level playing field to maintain credibility.”
However Fifa and Zifa have two transfer windows. These are not related to whether the competition has reached the half way mark or not.
They are rigid and affiliates are expected to respect.
Hwange are second on the log behind Chiefs with Nkayi United third.
