BFA clears Gunners in Machazani saga

Notwane had last month brought Gunners before the law querying that the Peleng side had signed players despite a ban imposed on the club. Gunners were suspended by FIFA from registering players until the club settled a debt owed to former player, Kudzanani Machazani.

Sechaba questioned that due to the FIFA ban, Gunners was not allowed to sign players in three transfer windows effective 2020. However, Gunners were active in all the transfer windows, leading to a formal protest from Notwane.

Gunners earlier this month told Mmegi Sport the club has since settled the debt and they were off the hook. Club chair, Rapula Okaile then said, the club only received communication on the ban in November 2021 and arranged a payment plan with Machazani. Speaking to Mmegi Sport, the BFA chief executive officer, Mfolo Mfolo said Gunners has complied and the matter has since been closed.

“Those matters are closed. Gunners had complied with the FIFA DRC (Dispute Resolution Chamber) ruling. We have since written to both Notwane and Gunners,” Mfolo said. The matter was the second most high-profile case before the BFA in the just-ended football campaign after the saga involving Township Rollers’ defender, Onkarabile Ratanang.