National Sports

Mwaungulu, Nkhoma face long wait for Mazambe move

Democatic Republic of Congo (DRC)-based Malawian duo Patrick Mwaungulu and Lanjesi Nkhoma’s expectation for a new lease of life at TP Mazembe this month has hit a snag as the club’s player transfer ban imposed by Fifa will end in July.

The two wingers were loaned out to another DRC top-flight side SC Don Bosco in September last year as they could not be registered by Mazembe due to the ban.

To stay at Don Bosco until July: Mwaungulu | Nation

The Lubumbashi-based giants were hoping that the ban would be lifted during the current transfer window.

But in an interview yesterday. the club’s local representative Felix Ngamanya Sapao, who facilitated the two players’ transfer deal between Mazembe and FCB Nyasa Bullets, said there are indications that the ban will be lifted in July this year.

“So, realistically, there is likelihood that they will spend the rest of the season at Don Bosco,” he said.

Fifa usually imposes bans for two or three transfer windows for clubs that break  transfer rules or have unpaid transfer debts with other clubs. In some cases, bans can be lifted by settling the debt.

Sapao said Mazembe were hoping that their ban would cover two transfer windows.

The club unsuccessfully  appealed against their ban.

According to Fifa rules, clubs banned from registering players can sign new players, but cannot field them in matches because they cannot register them with national associations.

Nevertheless, Sapao said their two players’ loan spell will help in their transition since it is the first time to play in a foreign country.

Both Mwaungulu and Nkhoma could not be reached for comment yesterday while TP Mazembe spokesperson Giantis Nyota said he would revert when contacted yesterday, but had not by press time.

TP Mazembe bought the two players from Bullets at K70 million each last year.

Don Bosco are currently sixth in 12-team Ligue 1 with 15 points from 11 matches. They have won four drawn three and lost four.

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