JOHANNESBURG - Mamelodi Sundowns have decided against pursuing legal action against Orlando Pirates for “stealing” Justin Shonga.
Shonga was suppose to go to Sundowns but ended up at Pirates. The former Nkana FC star had agreed everything with Sundowns.
Sundowns went as far as waiting for him at the airport but when they phoned him, the player told them he was on his way to Parktown.
“Sundowns won’t be pursuing any legal action against Pirates,” a source close to matter confirmed.
"Yes, the player was on the radar of Sundowns. Nkana and Sundowns had agreed and they were waiting for the transfer fee to complete the deal. Sundowns gave Nkana the cheque and they were waiting for the cheque to clear after seven days.
"Pirates heard that Sundowns used a cheque to complete the deal and they came with cash. Nkana took the cash and that’s how the deal was done.
"Even the agent (Mike Ngobeni) was at the airport with Sundowns officials waiting for the player. He was surprised when he heard that the player was on his way to Pirates."
It is not the first time something like this has happened. A few years back Peter Ndlovu was on his way to Kaizer Chiefs but ended up at Sundowns.
“They were angry when the incident happened but they realised that even if they wanted to pursue the matter, they weren’t going to win," the source said. "That’s why they have decided to let go of the issue.
"Nkana offered Sundowns Lameck Banda after the Shonga incident. Sundowns were impressed by Banda but couldn’t sign him because of the rules, but he will be back in 2019 when he turns 18.”
Pirates' administrative manager Floyd Mbele maintained that they followed the right procedure when they signed Shonga from Nkana.
“We did everything right when we signed him. We were not aware that Sundowns wanted to sign him and we were not afraid that we might have done anything wrong. We saw the player during the Cosafa Cup and decided to pursue,” Mbele explained.
Sundowns spokeperson Thulani Thuswa was unavailable.