Mwaruwari to pocket US$570,000 after unfair dismissal by Ngezi Platinum
By Auther Chimbgwa
Football coach Benjani Mwaruwari is set to receive US$570,000 in compensation after his former club Ngezi Platinum were ordered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to pay the sum plus five percent interest following unfair dismissal.
Mwaruwari, now Highlanders coach, was sacked as Ngezi Platinum boss in July 2022 after taking charge of 13 games, winning three, drawing six and losing four.
He successfully took Ngezi Platinum to FIFA’s Players Status Chamber and won his case.
But Ngezi Platinum filed an appeal, with the tribunal upholding an earlier ruling by FIFA’s Players Status Chamber.
Ngezi Platinum was ordered to pay the amount plus interest. This could see Mwaruwari pocketing in excess of US$1,2 million.
United Kingdom arbitrator Andrew Mercer solely heard the arbitration.
The Zimbabwean club was represented by Lyrique Du Plessis and Eben Koen of BDP Attorneys based in Cape Town while Mwaruwari was represented by Ndabezinhle Nyathi of Touchwood Intermediaries Oy, Helsinki, Finland with FIFA being represented by senior legal counsel Roberto Najera Reyes.
Mercer found that the club’s challenge of FIFA’s jurisdiction on its appeal during the original proceedings did not hold water.
CAS therefore confirmed the arbitration that Mwaruwari’s contract had been rescinded without just cause.
Consequently, Ngezi was also ordered to bear the full costs of the arbitration and contribute towards the gaffer’s legal expenses.
CAS is the last sporting appeal, which means Ngezi Platinum has to comply.
If Ngezi fails to pay, this may trigger sporting sanctions such as transfer and registration bans until payment is made in full.
Bongani Mafu, former assistant coach to Mwaruwari at the same club had already lodged a successful appeal for compensation on allegations of unfair dismissal to FIFA in August 2024 in a separate case which resulted in him being granted compensation of US$196,750.
He is, however, yet to receive the dues.
