Former FIFA referee Victor Hlungwani doesn’t believe Orlando Pirates have a case against St Eloi Lupopo after the Buccaneers lodged an official protest in the CAF Champions League.
Pirates were eliminated from the CAF Champions League at the second preliminary round stage by the DR Congo side via a penalty shootout after drawing the two-legged tie 3-3.
The aftermath of the tie saw Pirates lodge an official complaint against Lupopo with CAF regarding the alleged ineligibility of two players and their coach Guy Bukasa.
Bukasa is alleged to have been suspended for an offence committed while he was leading the Congolese U20 national team, while it is also claimed that Molia Lihozasia was registered outside the transfer window and Wanet Kashala allegedly holds two passports.
Speaking on Sports Night Live with Andile, Hlungwani said the Buccaneers have no case especially where the number of passports a player can possess is concerned, as there are many players in this situation.
“CAF national teams use a passport,” said Hlungwani.
“Now if you say somebody has got two passports, how many people have got two passports? Dennis Onyango has got two. Kennedy Mweene has got two.
“Now you go on and say, you are protesting about what, players? There is a TMS [Transfer Management System] that we punch the players on the system. If the player is suspended the TMS will refuse.
“The same as the PSL, if you punch a player who is suspended the TMS will say no, player ineligible.
“Now you come to the coach… The coach does not play football. You protest against the coach? He does not influence the results of the match. So where is the case there? I don’t see any case.
“I’ve been in these CAF games, and I’ve seen it all. Yes, FIFA referee we punch the system, and the system will say player ineligible. So look I don’t see a case, nothing. I don’t see a case. That’s why the fixture is out and the games are going to be played.”
