AmaZulu take the fight to Fifa

THE fight for the services of DR Congo striker Kule Mbombo will be settled by Fifa after AmaZulu stepped up their bid to secure the player’s release from AS Vita Club.

Next week will be two months since AmaZulu announced they had signed 20-year-old Mbombo on a threeyear deal.

Usuthu general manager Lunga Sokhela travelled to DR Congo and completed the transfer agreement with Racing Club Kinshasa, a lower-division club that reportedly loaned the forward to Vita.

However, with the season set to kick off at the end of the month, there was little sign that Mbombo would be released, which left the Durban First Division outfit little option but to report the matter to football’s world governing body.

AmaZulu open their campaign with a home game against Black Leopards on August 28 in KwaMashu.

“We have approached Fifa with all the relevant documents, the transfer agreement, the player’s contract, everything,” said Sokhela.

“The player also wants to come, but Vita have a military general running the club and they are basically using their power to stop him from leaving. Even the DRC FA understands the situation and are trying to intervene.”

The Fifa player’s status committee would be expected to rule on the matter. If AmaZulu prove their case Vita could be punished by Fifa for blocking the move.

Mbombo shot to prominence when his goals – one at home and one away – helped Vita knock Mamelodi Sundowns out of the CAF Champions League, although the Brazilians were later reinstated after it was proved the DRC side had fielded an ineligible player.

Sokhela was optimistic that they would be well prepared for the season’s kick-off.

“We are not concerned about the case because we know we did everything by the book, and eventually the player will arrive,” said Sokhela.

Veteran strikers Siyabonga Nomvete and Mabhudi Khenyeza provide the experience in their attack, while fit again junior international Linda Bhengu offers speed and height.

AmaZulu and the other local professional clubs, Golden Arrows and Maritzburg United of the Premiership, and Real Kings, Thanda Royal Zulu and Royal Eagles of the First Division will fine-tune their preparations in the Premier’s Cup in Richards Bay this weekend.