Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Title-chasing Zifa Southern Region Division One side Nkayi United have written a letter of protest alleging irregularities in the registration of former Black Mambas and Bulawayo City striker Anesu Saiti.
A talented forward, Saiti joined Bulawayo City at the beginning of the year before his contract was revoked by Black Mambas, who later moved him to Bulawayo Chiefs during the second transfer window, which opened on 1 July and closed on 30 July.
“We write to formally lodge a complaint regarding the use of an ineligible player, Anesu Saiti, by Bulawayo Chiefs Football Club. The said player, who was on loan at Bulawayo City FC from his parent club Black Mambas of the Northern Region, was reportedly transferred to Bulawayo Chiefs FC during the opening of the transfer window on 1 July 2025. It is important to note that although the transfer window opened on 1 July, this did not coincide with the official mid-season break.
“The second half of the season only commenced on 9 August 2025, meaning any new signings were only eligible to play from that date onward, in accordance with Zifa regulations. Despite this, Bulawayo Chiefs FC fielded Anesu Saiti in the following matches:
Matchday 13 – 5 July vs Hwange FC
Matchday 14 – 11 July vs Bulawayo City FC
Matchday 15 – 16 July vs Jordan FC
Matchday 16 – 19 July vs Blackrock FC
Matchday 17 – 26 July vs Zebra Revolution FC,” wrote the Bulawayo-based side in their letter to Zifa last week.
Nkayi United said they were concerned that Saiti featured for Bulawayo City FC against Hwange FC earlier in the first half of the season and then appeared again against the same team as a Bulawayo Chiefs FC player, all within the same half of the season.
Tedius Ngwenya, an official of the club, confirmed that they had written a letter of protest. He said it was uncommon for a player to feature for two clubs within one half of a championship.
It is unclear if, upon revocation of his City deal, he returned to play for Black Mambas before joining Bulawayo Chiefs, which would be a violation of rules, as a player can only play for two clubs in a single season.
Zifa Southern Region boss Lloyd Munhanga referred Zimpapers Sports Hub to Blessing Mbwanda, the spokesperson.
