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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Acting Sports Editor
THE feud between Triangle and Tsholotsho FC over Pasca Manhanga escalated yesterday with the Zifa Southern Region Division One side undertaking to approach the Zifa Players’ Status Committee.“We will not rest until this case is brought to its logical finality because it seems some people want to behave like bullies,” said Tsholotsho FC chairman Mlamuli Phiri yesterday.
He reiterated that Manhanga was and still remains their player and they never cleared him to play for Triangle United. The two clubs are involved in a fierce fight over the diminutive Warriors forward with Triangle claiming that they got clearance from Manhanga’s former club Mutare United, despite the club having long disbanded.
On the other hand, Tsholotsho FC have produced documentary evidence in the form of a contract that was signed on January 22, 2011 and is set to expire at the end of this month.
The contract, in possession of Chronicle Sport, was signed on January 22, 2011 with Tsholotsho FC then in Division Two, undertaking to pay a signing on fee of $250 and a monthly allowance of $50 as well as some winning bonuses.
Tsholotsho wrote their letter of complaint to Zifa and copied it to the Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele. Both parties have confirmed receipt of the document.
“I can confirm receipt of Tsholotsho FC’s letter which we forwarded to Triangle and they in turn said the player concerned was cleared by another club. It now becomes a dispute over a player which is a Zifa baby because it involves more than one affiliate. The Player Status Committee has to look at the case,” said Ndebele.
Phiri said his club would immediately take that route in their pursuit of justice. He told Chronicle: “If they claim they have a clearance from another club, then the authenticity of that document has to be proven by the relevant authorities.”
Last week, Triangle’s controversial coach Gishon Ntini rubbished claims by Tsholotsho that Manhanga was their player and questioned why the club was raising the issue now, two years down the line.
If claims by Tsholotsho FC are proved to be true, Triangle United could be docked points for every game that Manhanga played for them from their days in the Zifa Eastern Region Division One League and that could see them being relegated from the top flight league.
Online Reporter