Fifa comes to Atusaye rescue
South Africa First Division side Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) have finally settled Malawi national team striker Atusaye Nyondo’s salary arrears after Federation of International Football Association (Fifa) intervened.
South Africa Football Players Union (Safpu) deputy general secretary Calvin Motloung confirmed the settlement to KickOff.com.
“The issue of Nyondo has been settled and we would like to thank TTM for keeping their commitment,” he said.
Nyondo joined TTM as a free agent in 2018, signing a one-and-half-year deal contract.
But the former Silver Strikers star quit after the club only paid him a salary for three months, which was also less than the amount agreed on the contract.
With the help of the Safpu, he took the matter to Fifa which ruled that TTM should pay his salary arrears.
According to KickOff.com, Nyondo has been lucky as other players with similar disputes at the club are yet to be paid.
“There are still outstanding issues with Mbongeni Mzimela, Ephraim Mofokeng, Motlomelo Mkhwanazi, Tshepo Ramaele and Masibusane Zongo.
“The club has promised to settle everything this week. Otherwise, if it’s not sorted out, the new owners have to settle the outstanding bill,” said Motloung.
TTM, whose status has been sold to Johannesburg-based businessperson Simon Malatjie, also signed former Flames midfielder Joseph Kamwendo two years ago. He quit the outfit unceremoniously following a pay dispute.
Nyondo did not pick up his phone or respond to our WhatsApp questions when we asked for his reaction and the total amount he will be paid.
But he confirmed to KickOff .com that he had won the dispute: “Yes it’s true, the matter was taken to Fifa by the players union. The matter was ruled in my favour,” Nyondo said.
“I would prefer not to say much about the issue and advise you to contact the Players’ Union for further comment.”
Meanwhile, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) club licensing and compliance manager Casper Jangale said local footballers should learn from Nyondo’s case.
“If you have good advisers and contract documentation, it is easy to pursue a case related to contractual breaches. Sadly, some players here don’t have backing documents to launch a query with Fifa or other relevant authorities,” he said.
Atusaye has been in the Rainbow Nation for 10 years where he has played for Carara Kicks, SuperSport United, Pretoria University and Bloemfontein Celtic.
