Mafu stays despite unpaid dues
Kabelo Boranabi | Wednesday June 7, 2017 15:00
Speaking to Mmegi Sport from Zimbabwe yesterday, Mafu said despite the challenging situation at the club where he is owed salaries for four months, he will remain professional and see his contract out.
“It is now almost four months without salary, winning bonuses, resettlement fees, transport fees amongst others. I am not the one to throw things away by running. I will honour my bit and expect the club to do the same. Things will hopefully turn for the better. Chiefs are a big institution. I have a year left in my contract. I am yet to hear any changes to that arrangement. I am willing to see it through albeit in a hopefully more improved situation financially. I have a great respect for the Chiefs institution,” he said.
Mafu arrived at Chiefs with little fanfare at the start of the season on a two-year deal. He unfortunately arrived at the club at a time the club’s investor, Sayed Jamali left hence the club found itself in a dire financial situation. Reports in his native Zimbabwe revealed that he was looking for a way out as he was interviewed for the then vacant Harare City job.
Quizzed if he was looking out for green pastures after the Harare City interview, Mafu revealed that he was approached by Zimbabwean Premier League side, Triangle United midway the season but opted to stay at Magosi.
Chiefs have endured their worst season in more than 10 years as they finished without silverware for a second consecutive season. Magosi finished outside the top four for the first time since 2006 as they had to settle for the seventh spot. The five time league champions on numerous occasions had to battle for the three points with league rivals with a depleted squad as players boycotted training.
However, Mafu and Chiefs’ biggest task thus far will be to keep his players in the transfer window that was opened on Monday. Chiefs’ key players including Thato Kebue, Lesego Galenamotlhale and Jerome Ramatlhakwana are reportedly on their way out, but Mafu is hopeful the club will be able to keep them. “We have a good competitive squad that would do wonders if kept,” Mafu said. “We will wait and see if we can keep our boys,” he added.