South Africa, Mozambique clubs tussle over Chawanangwa Kaonga transfer
A transfer dispute has ensued between South African lower division club, TS Sporting, and Mozambique giants Costa do Sol over on-and-off Malawi national football team forward Chawanangwa Kaonga.
The former Silver Strikers forward is at the centre of a transfer wrangle after joining Sporting from Costa last year.
The dispute has resulted into Sporting struggling to obtain a clearance from Costa as the Mocambola champions claim that the Malawian signed a new contract before moving to the Rainbow Nation.
“We are struggling to get clearance from Costa do Sol for Chawanangwa Kaonga as they claim he has signed a new contract but our legal team is behind the scenes with Fifa Players Status Department to make sure that the player is not denied his rights and at the end of it all, justice shall prevail,” reads part of a statement released by Sporting.
Kaonga faces a race against time to get registered as the transfer window closes today.
His representative, Fred Kalonga, confirme
d that they were facing challenges to get the clearance.
“It is a difficult situation for the boy because Costa claim they exercised the option to extend his contract. This is unfair because as far as we are concerned, Chawanangwa’s contract ended in October. But we are still discussing and we hope the player will be cleared in time for registration before the transfer window closes,” Kalonga said.
Kaonga helped Costa to win the Mocambola League title last season when he scored a brace in a 4-2 victory over rivals UD Songo.
He netted 10 goals in the 2019 season as Costa ended a 12-year league drought.
Kaonga is often underrated by Flames coaches despite being a versatile player who can operate from the wings besides his usual role of a striker.
The Mozambican league is home to several Malawian players such as Christopher John Banda, Schumacher Kuwali, Charles Swini, Frank Banda, Peter Wadabwa, Moses Chavula and Ndaziona Chatsalira.
