Phiri Jnr cleared to sign for Wits

Flames winger Gerald Phiri Jnr will finally signed for South African side Bidvest Wits following the lifting of a transfer ban on his previous employers Caps United of Zimbabwe.

Caps had player movement restrictions imposed on them.

The High Court in Zimbabwe issued a provisional order barring them from executing any transfer of their players pending the determination of a dispute between them and businessperson Nobert Chawira, who had loaned the club $55 000 two years ago.

According to Zimbabwe daily newspaper The Herald, the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) was also temporarily barred from issuing clearance certificates to foreign clubs, leaving Phiri’s transfer hanging in the balance.

Phiri has in the meantime continued training with Wits while hoping that the fiasco would be cleared up, which has since happened after Chawira reached an out-of-court settlement with Caps regarding the debt to which players were used as security when it was taken.

“Caps United have signed the payment plan that we drew up and the club has committed itself to paying the first tranche that will come from payment for the transfer of Gerald Phiri to Bidvest Wits, and although that will not dissolve the debt, it is a big step going forward,” Chawira is quoted as saying.

“The club has committed itself to paying various amounts for the dissolution of the debt as provided in the payment plan and we are very happy that this represents a step forward in resolving our dispute.

“Because of the commitment that we have received from Caps United, we can announce that our High Court case will be withdrawn and the club and Zifa will now get the greenlight to execute the transfer of the players.”