Escom play tough over Mzava’s clearance

Escom United have said they will only authorise defender Limbikani Mzava to register with South African top-flight league side Bloemfontein Celtic after getting the R176 000 (about K6.3 million) transfer-fee balance.

Escom chairperson Fanuel Nkhono confirmed making their position clear to Celtic through broker of the deal, Ben Chiwaya.

“For Celtic to register Limbikani, they will require an ITC (international transfer certificate) from FAM. And for us to arrange these formalities, we need to get the transfer-fee balance from Celtic.

“Unfortunately, payment of the transfer-fee balance has been long overdue, but they have complied and have given an undertaking to pay the money. We have since furnished them with our account details,” said Nkhono.

He also said being a club that currently has no sponsor, Mzava’s transfer-fee balance will be a big boost towards its coffers.

Chiwaya said Celtic are now prepared to settle the outstanding transfer-fee balance.

“I have been in touch with Celtic management and they are ready to issue the payment in full,” he said.

Celtic bought Mzava from Escom last year for R350 000 (then K8.05) million.

Celtic were supposed to pay R200 000 upon Mzava passing medical test. They were then expected to pay a further R100 000 (then about K2.3 million) after the first five league games and the remaining R50 000 (then about K1.15 million) after 10 league games.

Unfortunately, the player was not registered last season as Celtic’s foreign quota was full.