Ownership wrangle

South Africa National First Division outfit TS Sporting has lodged a complaint with Fifa Player Status Committee over the ownership of on-and-off Flames striker Chawanangwa Kaonga.

Mozambican club Costa Do Sol claims ownership of Kawonga but the player, who has struck a one-and-a-half-year deal with the South African side TS Sporting Club, claims he is a free agent after his contract expired on October 31 last year.

But the Mozambican top-flight Mocambola League champions are refusing to clear the on-and-off Flames forward, claiming that he is still contracted to them.

In a statement released on Wednesday, TS Sporting says the club is trying all it can to have the player cleared.

“We are battling to get clearance from Costa Do Sol for Chawanangwa Kaonga as they claim he has signed a new contract.

“But our legal team is busy behind the scenes with Fifa Players Status Department to make sure the player is not denied his rights and at the end of it all, justice will prevail,” reads part of the statement.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) club licensing and compliance manager Casper Jangale yesterday said Kaonga has also sought their intervention on the matter.

“So, we have asked the Mozambique FA to provide us with a copy of the player’s contract to ascertain his status.

“From there then we will be able to determine the next course of action,” he said.

Flames coach Meck Mwase said he is following the issue keenly as Kaonga is one of the foreign-based players he is considering for the upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

The former Silver Strikers player scored 10 league goals last season wich played a crucial role in helping Costa Do Sol to win the Mozambican title.