SA club admits breaching deal
South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Jomo Cosmos has admitted failing to honour R350 000 (about K14.3 million) transfer fee agreement with Blue Eagles for midfielder Micium Mhone.
In the sale agreement between the two clubs, Cosmos were supposed to pay Eagles in two instalments on September 15 and 30 respectively, but have not done so due to what their local-based agent Ben Chiwaya attributed to technical hitches beyond their control.
“It is not that we are trying to play games. We know that they are somehow suspicious, but there is nothing fishy at all. There is no need to panic, we will definitely pay them.
“The fact of the matter is that we instructed our bank in South Africa to wire the money to Blue Eagles, but they are yet to get authorisation from the Reserve Bank [of South Africa] and that is what is delaying the whole process,” said Chiwaya on Thursday.
The agent said he has had a number of meetings with Eagles to assure them that they are committed to honour the transfer payment in full.
However, Eagles vice-general secretary Benjamin Msowoya said while they understood Cosmos’ explanation,
they would like to send some of their officials to Johannesburg for verification.
“We had a meeting with Ben Chiwaya and he explained to us about the situation, but we have suggested that we should send one or two of our officials for verification at their [Cosmos’] cost,” said Msowoya.
And reacting to Eagles’ suggestion, Chiwaya said: “We have no problems with that because we are a very transparent and professional club.
“If that is their decision then they are free to do so.”
According to the agreement which The Nation has seen, Cosmos were supposed to pay R200 000 (about K8.2 million) as first instalment and the remaining R150 000 (about K6.1 million) as second instalment.
Mhone signed a two-year contract with Cosmos in July after undergoing successful trials alongside Blantyre United’s Muhamad Sulumba.
However, despite being offered a three year deal, Sulumba was not registered by Cosmos for the current season because the South African club said, their foreign quota was full.
The player returned home to complete his loan deal at Be Forward Wanderers and United are seeking legal action against Cosmos for “breach of contract.”
