Chiefs broke as P116,000 debt deadline looms
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday November 27, 2020 14:14
FIFA gave Magosi until December 10 to pay Mabhena P116,665 for the services rendered at the time when he was the head of the technical team. With only 13 days left before the deadline set by FIFA elapses, Chiefs’ spokesperson, Pollen Makgane has said the club has not raised any amount to date.
Following FIFA’s ruling, Chiefs’ management sent an SOS call to its supporters requesting for donations to help settle the debt. However Makgane said up to now, the account that was opened specifically for the case is empty.
“Up to now the account is empty. We have tried to reach out to our supporters and well-wishers to rescue the club from the situation, but nothing seems to be happening,” he said.
“We are worried because there are only a few days left for us to pay. We all know the consequences that will follow if we fail to meet the December 10 deadline.”
Makgane said they set up a fundraising committee consisting of Motsumi Madisa, Sponkie Kedikilwe and Debbie Setlhabi. He said the committee’s role is to help raise funds specifically for the former coach’s case. Makgane urged Magosi supporters to come to the rescue as the club faces the risk of a FIFA wrath should they fail to meet the deadline. He also said as management they are looking at other ways of finding a solution to their problem.
He said if they fail to raise enough money, they will have to take drastic measures in order to pay the debt, but warned that supporters should not turn around and blame the management.
He said what is important at the moment is to ensure that the bill is settled before the set deadline. Mabhena had initially demanded P121,100 from Chiefs, but following submissions from both parties FIFA ruled that he be paid Mabhena P116,665.
Chiefs recently prevailed over another former coach, Bongani Mafu who claimed the club owed him a total of P449,500. However, Mafu’s case was dismissed by the world’s football governing body. Meanwhile, Makgane said the executive committee is meeting this Sunday with the Mabhena case amongst issues on the agenda.
He also said they will discuss the team’s return to action. He assured supporters that players are still with the team while new players will be roped in to beef up the squad.