FIFA, the world football governing body, has ordered Ngezi Platinum Stars, the reigning champions, to pay their former coach, Bongani Mafu, a substantial sum of US$196,750 for unfair dismissal.
Mafu was dismissed in 2022 while serving as the assistant to former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari, who was also let go after a few weeks in charge.
Following his dismissal, Mafu, who had previously coached Highlanders and Hwange, took his case to FIFA. On August 27, 2024, FIFA directed Ngezi Platinum Stars to compensate him.
“Ngezi Platinum Stars FC must pay the claimant (Bongani Mafu) US$196,750 as compensation for breach of contract without just cause,” stated the decision from FIFA’s football tribunal’s player status chamber.
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This decision, made on August 27, 2024, was communicated to Ngezi Platinum Stars, Bongani Mafu, ZIFA, and CAF on August 30, 2024.
The Mhondoro-based club has until September 10 to appeal the ruling.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) CEO, Yvonne Mapika Manwa, who was in the same role when Mafu and Mwaruwari were dismissed after just three months, took over as ZIFA boss in October last year.
Since then, she has terminated more than half of the staff she inherited, prompting some to consider legal action. Currently, she is on the brink of dismissing Liberty ‘Libertino’ Mugari, the association’s communications leader, who has been relieved of his duties but continues to report to work.
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