…as Japhta finally joins Tse Nala
Leemisa Thuseho
LIOLI have received a major boost with the signing of highly sought-after midfielder, Sello Japhta, from Lifofane after a protracted contractual dispute with the club.
Lioli confirmed on Friday that they had secured the South African midfielder’s signature after the dispute between Japhta and his former club was finally resolved.
Japhta joined Lifofane last season and played a key role in helping the club finish second in the Vodacom Premier League (VPL) and win the Most Improved Team award.
The former Orlando Pirates and Free State Stars midfielder was also named the VPL Midfielder of the Season.
Lioli expressed interest in signing Japhta after the season ended, but the move initially stalled when Lifofane reportedly resisted his departure.
The dispute centred on Japhta’s claim that his contract with Lifofane had expired, while the club maintained that he was still under contract.
The matter was subsequently taken through the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) dispute-resolution structures, with the LeFA Appeal Board eventually clearing Japhta to become a free agent.
Lifofane, however, was still unwilling to clear the player in the FIFA Connect System to enable him to join his preferred club.
LeFA president, Lijane Nthunya, then intervened to mediate between the parties, resulting in an amicable agreement and Japhta’s eventual transfer to Lioli.
As part of the agreement, Lioli have agreed to pay Lifofane an undisclosed deferred compensation fee.
Both clubs confirmed the transfer and thanked LeFA for helping resolve the matter, which had dragged on for several months.
The move comes after the transfer window closed at the end of last month. However, Japhta remains eligible for registration because he was declared a free agent, with FIFA regulations allowing free agents to be registered outside the normal transfer window.
“We will remember that Japhta is now a free agent, so he will still be registered even outside the normal transfer window,” Lioli marketing manager, Kananelo Ramokoatsi, told the Sunday Express on Friday.