TS Galaxy coach Adnan Beganovic has confirmed that the club’s FIFA transfer bans are set to be lifted after chairman Tim Sukazi settled the outstanding payments.
Beganovic, speaking after Galaxy’s 2-0 loss to Durban City in the Betway Premiership at Chatsworth Stadium on Friday, revealed that the team will soon be able to register and call upon the services of Sedwyn George and Tshepo Kakora, among others.
The Mpumalanga-based outfit bolstered their squad ahead of the current campaign with several new signings. These include former Royal AM players Mzwandile Dlamini and defender Veluyeke Zulu, who last featured for AmaZulu. The club also added 17-year-old Siyabonga Nguessan and Ntandoyenkosi Nkosi, both previously part of Kaizer Chiefs’ development side.
Galaxy further strengthened their ranks from the Motsepe Foundation Championship, signing Matome Mmolai and Anslin Williams from Leicesterford City, as well as Onke Moletshe from Venda FC.
However, due to multiple FIFA-imposed transfer bans, some of these players were unable to be registered. The club cleared one of the bans in January, which related to Liberian player Jegbay Morris Konneh, but another remains in place.
An agreement had been reached to pay the first instalment owed to Konneh in January, but the payment was not finalised before the domestic transfer window closed. The Liberian forward was owed approximately USD125,000 (around R2 million), plus 5% interest per annum in line with FIFA regulations.
Konneh has since received the agreed portion, and Galaxy are now awaiting official confirmation from both the player and FIFA before the remaining ban can be lifted. The sanction resulted in a three-window registration ban imposed in December, which is still active pending final confirmation.
“The last information I have – we removed one FIFA ban,” Beganovic said.
“We paid another player, Jegbay, at the same time. But you know how FIFA operates – you pay and then you wait. Once he receives the money, he must confirm to FIFA, and then FIFA lifts the ban.
“I think next week we can expect all the bans to be removed. Then we will be able to register the four new players.
“That will help us have more quality options on the bench, especially in midfield. Tshepo from Magesi, George from Royal AM, and the two young players will give us more depth. Our goal is to finish in the top eight this season.”
Galaxy, who dropped to seventh place following the defeat to Durban City, will next host Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup round of 16 next weekend.
