Mninawa Ntloko
8 October 2008
Johannesburg — WHILE the Premier Soccer League's (PSL's) dispute and resolution chamber ruled yesterday that striker Siphelele Mthembu's contract with Orlando Pirates was valid, the long-running dispute between the Bucs and fierce rivals Kaizer Chiefs over the player is far from over.
Moments after PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu announced that Mthembu belonged to the Bucs, Chiefs manager Bobby Motaung said he would consult the club's management and decide the way forward.
"Obviously we have not had time to deliberate this decision and we will now consult," Motaung said.
"But I can assure you that there is still a long way to go before this thing is over."
The 21-year-old Mthembu -- whom Motaung said was still training with Chiefs -- has been at the centre of a bitter tug of war between the sides for the past two months. Both clubs claimed to have signed contracts with the player but the PSL chamber ruled yesterday that only his contract with Pirates was valid.
Majavu said the PSL would also effect disciplinary measures against Mthembu as it was an offence for a player to sign contracts with two different clubs. The PSL prosecutor confirmed that Chiefs had the right to lodge an appeal with the South African Football Association's appeals board within seven days of the date of the ruling.
Should they lose the case again, the matter can then be taken to arbitration. But for the time being, Mthembu will remain at Naturena and continue training with Chiefs until the matter has been completely resolved.
Meanwhile, Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral said he was not happy with the Telkom Knockout Last 16 draw after the holders were pitted against the tricky Golden Arrows yesterday.
"Tough, tough, tough," said Ertugral after the confirmation of the draw.
"Arrows were the one team I would have loved to avoid. They are a good team and they are well organised. I watched them against Mamelodi Sundowns and they were very good."
Arrows sent shivers through the domestic premiership after they easily dispatched of star-studded millionaires Downs at the weekend. Downs had no answer for the Kagisho Dikgacoi-led side and succumbed to a 4-2 home defeat.
But Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi remained modest yesterday and said his side would have preferred to avoid a pedigreed side like Chiefs this early in the competition. "I respect Muhsin and this should be a great game," he said.
But Chiefs should remember that the selfsame Arrows knocked them out in the opening round of the Absa Cup last March. Chiefs made a first-round exit from last year's Absa Cup after a 5-4 defeat on penalties at Olympia Park.
LAST 16 DRAW
Amazulu vs SuperSport United; Ajax vs Platinum Stars; Bloemfontein Celtic vs Santos; Mamelodi Sundowns vs Bay United; Free State Stars vs Maritzburg United; Golden Arrows vs Kaizer Chiefs; Moroka Swallows vs Wits; Thanda Royal Zulu vs Orlando Pirates
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