CAS Orders Ngezi Platinum to Pay Former Assistant Coach Bongani Mafu USD196,750 For Unfair Dismissal

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has upheld FIFA’s decision ordering Ngezi Platinum Stars to compensate their former assistant coach, Bongani Mafu, a total of US$196,750 following what has been ruled as an unfair dismissal.

Mafu joined Ngezi Platinum in March 2022 on a four year contract, working under head coach Benjani Mwaruwari. However, his tenure was abruptly cut short just four months later, in July 2022, after the club terminated his contract without just cause.

According to the terms of his deal, Mafu was entitled to:

A sign-on fee of US$4,800 per season,

A monthly salary of US$3,200, payable before the 30th of each month,

A housing allowance of US$150 per month,

A transport allowance of US$30, where no club vehicle was provided,

A winning bonus of US$480 per match, and

A draw bonus equivalent to 50% of the winning bonus for away games.

In addition to his basic package, the contract also included a number of performance related incentives for the 2022 season. These included:

A 200% salary bonus if the team won the league title,50% of one month’s salary for finishing in the top two, and a 2.5% share of total prize money from any cup competitions. Of that share, the assistant coach was entitled to 5% of the “team’s portion” after deductions for participation expenses.

CAS found that Ngezi Platinum had breached the contract by dismissing Mafu prematurely without adhering to the terms stipulated in the agreement. The ruling means the club must now pay the full compensation package ordered by FIFA.

Meanwhile, Mafu’s former boss Benjani Mwaruwari who was also dismissed around the same period, has a separate case in which Ngezi Platinum has been ordered to pay him US$600,000 in damages for unfair dismissal.

The twin rulings mark a costly chapter for the Premier Soccer League side, which now faces heavy financial penalties for the abrupt termination of its technical team in 2022.