NGEZI FACE US$1M BILL

Lovemore Dube

Zimpapers Sports Hub

CHRISTMAS has come early for Bongani Mafu after CAS upheld a ruling ordering Ngezi Platinum Stars to pay him US$196,750 for unlawful dismissal.

The bigger picture though is that this means a similar case filed by Benjani Mwaruwari, in which he is demanding US$600,000, will also sail through.

By the time this storm dies down, Ngezi will certainly lose more than US$1 million in payments to Mafu and Benjani and legal fees.

Mafu, who served as Benjani’s assistant, was fired in July 2022, just four months into his contract.

The club cited poor results in 16 matches.

Both coaches had been hired in March on lucrative long-term deals.

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 signed a contract on March 20, 2022, which was valid until December 31, 2026.

Ngezi’s unilateral decision to terminate his deal in July 2022 opened the door for 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.

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 Mhondoro side were 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 their 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.