Sowetan

Ajax may regret as Ndoro controvers­y goes on

Case heading for arbitratio­n process

- By Tiyani wa ka Mabasa

Ajax Cape Town’s insistence on playing Tendai Ndoro could come back to haunt them.

The Zimbabwean striker is at the centre of an ongoing saga regarding his eligibilit­y to play for the Urban Warriors.

Ndoro, 29, has already played four matches for the club, but this is in contravent­ion of Fifa rules, because he has already played for two other clubs – Orlando Pirates and Al Faisaly – this season.

Ndoro made his debut for Ajax in the 3-1 win over Platinum Stars at Cape Town Stadium on January 12. He was one of the scorers on that occasion and has since featured in three more matches; Cape Town City (1-0 loss, January 20), Pirates (3-0 win, January 31) and Polokwane City (1-1 draw, February 4).

He missed the goalless draw against Free State Stars on January 26, but was cleared by the PSL Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) to play against Pirates, though the PSL lodged an appeal the same day arguing that they didn’t agree with the DRC’s decision.

Yesterday the PSL announced two protests against Ndoro, filed by Pirates and Polokwane, would be heard on Thursday.

Ajax have collected seven points with Ndoro playing.

The Mother City club has since decided not to comment any further on the matter.

“We don’t have a comment anymore on Tendai Ndoro,” said club spokesman, Thabiso “Shooz” Mekuto, yesterday.

Ndoro’s issue is now being handled by the SA Football Associatio­n

(Safa) and it is set for arbitratio­n.

It’s not clear from the rules whether the points will go to the opponents or simply expunged.

Safa lawyer Tebogo Motlanthe said the associatio­n is ready to proceed with the arbitratio­n process at any time.

“If the Ajax lawyers and the PSL say they are ready, we are also ready. They have now received the full ruling of the DRC, with reasons why Ndoro was cleared, and they must now present their case to the arbitrator. The PSL must say why they want a review of the ruling,” Motlanthe stated.

‘‘ Ajax have collected seven points with Ndoro playing

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa