After Asanele Velebayi was declared a free agent, Kaizer Chiefs’ plans for the player have become clear. The club is now poised to make its move, with new details emerging on how they plan to secure the services of the former Cape Town Spurs captain.
This comes after the PSL Dispute Resolution Chamber ruled in the player’s favour on Monday, giving the green light for the club to proceed with signing the talented winger.
Following Cape Town Spurs’ consecutive relegations from the top-flight and the Motsepe Foundation Championship, the club dropped into the amateur ranks – the ABC Motsepe League. Subsequently, the player’s representatives insisted that he was no longer bound by a professional contract.
Seemingly, the interpretation of the NSL rules was that when a club turns amateur, its players instantly become free agents and can join any team they choose. However, CT Spurs argued that Velebayi, along with teammates Luke Baartman and Liam Bern, remained bound by their contracts and should return to training.
The DRC determined that Velebayi’s legal team presented a compelling case within the NSL handbook, showing that the contract CT Spurs relied on was no longer valid. Velebayi and Baartman are believed to have already agreed on terms with Chiefs, while Bern is set to join AmaZulu FC.
WHAT STEPS ARE CHIEFS GOING TO TAKE
Amakhosi are expected to consult legal counsel and take the next steps, as Spurs are likely to fight back after the ruling. In the next couple of days, Chiefs are expected to complete the transfer and registration of the player.
Thereafter, the 22-year-old attacker, who has been on the Chiefs’ radar for over a year, will start training with the team. Velebayi has not had a pre-season and may have to wait before he features for Chiefs.
Although the Soweto giants have maintained a sustained interest in the player, negotiations were put on hold pending the resolution of the legal dispute.
The quick winger reportedly excites Chiefs’ head coach Nasreddine Nabi, who is said to believe the player has great potential. A year ago, CT Spurs rejected an offer from Amakhosi believed to have been in the region of R4 million. The club placed a price tag of over R10 million on the player.
RELATED STORY: Motaung on Chiefs’ stance on Asanele Velebayi & Luke Baartman saga