By OnSport Reporter
Bulawayo Chiefs’ promotion celebrations are on hold after the Southern Region Soccer League (SRSL) forwarded complaints from Nkayi United and Hwange to its Disciplinary Committee.
Following Amakhosi Amahle’s 2-1 victory over Bosso 90 at Chiefs Village on Saturday, John Nyikadzino’s men took an unassailable seven-point lead at the top of the standings with only two matches remaining. Hwange, in second place, can now only finish the season with a maximum of 75 points, making Chiefs’ lead mathematically secure.
However, second- and third-placed Hwange and Nkayi United wrote to the SRSL to lodge a complaint against the registration of Anesu Saiti, who was signed by Amakhosi Amahle in July.
Zifa spokesperson Blessing Mbwanda confirmed a fortnight ago that the matter had been escalated. “We have referred the issue to the disciplinary committee. We want a resolution soon, as it may have a bearing on the destiny of the championship,” Mbwanda said.
In their protest letter, Nkayi United outlined their case:
“We write to formally lodge a complaint regarding the use of an ineligible player, Anesu Saiti, by Bulawayo Chiefs Football Club. The said player, who was on loan at Bulawayo City FC from his parent club Black Mambas, was reportedly transferred to Bulawayo Chiefs FC during the opening of the transfer window on July 1, 2025.
It is important to note that although the transfer window opened on July 1, this did not coincide with the official mid-season break. The second half of the season only commenced on August 9, 2025, meaning any new signings were only eligible to play from that date onward, in accordance with Zifa regulations,” according to the letter by Nkayi United.
In a letter dated October 14, Chipangano chairman Khumbulani Mbano raised concerns over the legality of the move, claiming Bulawayo Chiefs fielded an ineligible player.
“Our complaint is based on two issues: Saiti was not properly registered, and he played for two teams in the same first half of the season. He faced Hwange three times, once with Bulawayo City and twice with Bulawayo Chiefs.”
The judgement by the disciplinary committee will now be the one that ultimately confirms the champions of the SRSL.
In the FIFA laws, there is no clause that specifically tackles the issue in the nature of Saiti’s case. According to Zifa’s registration statutes, a player may only be registered with one club at a time and can feature in official matches for a maximum of two clubs per season.
A player may not play for more than two teams in the same national competition during the same season, to preserve sporting integrity, of which Chiefs are on the clear concerning that.
The only issue could be that he played for two teams in the same first half of the season.
Saiti, who is central to the controversy, currently leads the SRSL scoring charts with 12 goals. In Week 33 fixtures set for this weekend, Chiefs face a tricky away tie against fourth-placed Casmyn in Turk Mine, whilst Hwange also have a potential banana skin as they take on fifth-placed Talen Vision in Filabusi. Nkayi host Megawatt at White City Stadium.
Bulawayo Chiefs’ Celebrations On Hold Amid Player Eligibility Probe
