Kickoff (Cape Town)
6 October 2008
Mamelodi Sundowns' shock weekend defeat at the hands of Golden Arrows could take a new twist if there is substance to reports from Zambia that Abafana Bes'thende's new striker Francis Kombe has not been properly cleared.
Power Dynamos claimed yesterday Kombe has joined Arrows illegally.
They said that Kombe sneaked out of the country last Sunday for South Africa to attend trials without Power's permission, before making a surprise appearance on Saturday evening in Arrows' 4-2 away win over Mamelodi Sundowns at Super Stadium in Pretoria.
Power club secretary Justin Kapoma said in an interview from Kitwe yesterday that Kombe had not been cleared to play for Arrows and declared the deal as illegal.
"It (Kombe joining Arrows) is illegal and they (Arrows) have not approached us and he is already featuring for them," Kapoma said.
"And I am hearing that he has joined Arrows for the first time from you. We didn't have any details of where he was attending trials and he didn't say anything before leaving last Sunday and I wonder if FAZ has given him any clearance.
"He (Kombe) called me on Wednesday from South Africa asking me for a clearance letter to join a club in South Africa, but that is not the procedure because these things are handled by FAZ."
Kapoma said the Zambia national soccer team striker left Kitwe for South Africa on Sunday, September 28 a day after Power lost 1-0 at home to Lusaka Dynamos in a KCM/FAZ Super Division Week 23 match.
Efforts to get a comment from FAZ general secretary George Kasengele by press time yesterday on whether Kombe was issued with an International Transfer Certificate to play for Arrows were unsuccessful as his mobile phones were switched off.
Kombe started Arrows' game against Sundowns before being substituted in the 65th minute and replaced by Thanduyise Khuboni.
Kombe rejoined Power this season after another controversial dispute between the Kitwe side and City of Lusaka over the players' status in April.
FAZ later ruled that Kombe belonged to Power, who had loaned the striker to a Malaysian club in August last year.
Kombe is the current third highest top scorer with nine competitive goals and is three behind leader Emmanuel Mayuka of Kabwe Warriors and Zanaco striker Roger Kola in second place with 11 goals.
KickOff.com was unable to get comment from any Arrows' officials yesterday.
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