14 Aug 2013

Jwaneng Comets are considering appealing the Premier League Disciplinary Committee ruling that Wonder Sporting Club did not use defaulters.

The Debswana First Division South runners-up lodged a protest with the league in May claiming Wonder used three defaulters en-route to winning the league.

Wonder sealed promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history last season after winning the Debswana First Division South championship, but had to wait rather apprehensively for confirmation of their top-flight status after Comets queried the legitimacy of their promotion.

Comets charged that Wonder’s three foreign players, Clarkson Dzimbiri, Farasai Nyamunamwendu and Mkhululi Moyo were played without proper work permits. 

The trio joined Wonder last season after their former club, Police XI, was de-registered for failing to pay affiliation fees. 

Comets argued that the three played for Wonder using old work permits obtained while playing for Police XI contrary to the rules.

The matter, after a number of postponements, was referred to the Premier League Disciplinary Committee( DC)  which ruled on Thursday night that Wonder had not committed any offense.

However, Jwaneng Comets official, Kealeboga Ramogobya said they were not satisfied with the manner in which the DC handled the matter and indicated they were considering lodging an appeal.

“We have realised that the Disciplinary Committee did not take cognizance of some issues while handling our case. We would meet our legal advisor on Monday and make a decision whether the loopholes we have identified in the handling of our case hold water and constitute an appeal,” Ramogobya said.

He emphasised that Comets were in possession of concrete evidence that the three Wonder players used old work permits obtained from Police XI. 

He stressed that they might lodge an appeal during the course of the week.

Debswana First Division South secretary, Sydney Magagane said the new season would commence in a fortnight as planned despite the confusing situation they were facing. 

The protracted dispute is threatening Wonder’s historic position in the beMOBILE Premier League. 

Should Comets lodge an appeal and win it, Wonder would lose points they gained in the matches they fielded the three players. 

It would mean that Comets emerge as league winners.

The two were neck-on-neck in the title race until the final weekend when Comets lost to Modipane United, allowing Wonder to seal promotion through victory over Masitaoka.

Comets were later edged to promotion by FC Satmos in a two-legged promotional play-off.  ENDS