Zambian Super League giants Power Dynamos are facing a possible three-season transfer ban should they fail to pay over half a million Kwacha in a contractual dispute involving Cameroonian left-back Lionel Bong Ngong.
In 2023, Ngong joined Power from Ndola side Buildcon but the player did not last long at Arthur Davies Stadium before the seven-time league champions released him.
However, the defender reported the club to FIFA and won his case against the Copperbelt Energy Corporation’s (CEC) bankrolled side.
This was revealed by the player’s representatives, the Footballers and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (FAWUZ), on Monday.
According to the ruling, the club should pay a total of K525,370.88 and the money should be paid as follows: K256,000 as compensation for breach of contract plus 5 percent interest per year from 1 August 2024 until the date of effective payment, while K269,370.88 should be paid for breach of contract.
“Pursuant to article 24 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, if full payment (including all applicable interest) is not made within 45 days of notification of this decision, the following consequences shall.
“The Respondent [Power] shall be banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, up until the due amount is paid. The maximum duration of the ban shall be of up to three entire and consecutive registration periods,” the ruling read in part.
Decision sends strong message- FAWUZ
The player has a right to report to the club should they fail to settle the amount after which FIFA will impose sanctions.
This is not the first time a Zambian club has been faced with such a situation; in the recent past, the likes of Lusaka Dynamos, Buildcon, and Nkana have all been slapped with transfer bans after flouting player contracts.
Meanwhile, FAWUZ general secretary Joe Kaunda warned clubs of the need to respect player contracts.
“This decision sends a strong message to all clubs in Zambia that they must respect the contracts of their players and adhere to the rules and regulations of the game. However, we want to emphasize that our role is not to fight the clubs but to work collaboratively with them,” he said.
