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Cape Town - Chippa United chairperson Siviwe Mpengesi has moved to clear the air following last week's announcement that they had signed Orlando Pirates pair Thabo Matlaba and Bernard Morrison.
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The Chilli Boys sparked confusion on Friday when they stated that Matlaba and Morrison had been acquired from Orlando Pirates, along with Thamsanqa Sangweni.
The Buccaneers responded by confirming that Sangweni had completed his move back to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, but made no mention of the other two players.
It was subsequently reported that Matlaba had snubbed Chippa, while Morrison insisted his representatives had not been in contact with the Port Elizabeth club.
Mpengesi has now clarified the situation, admitting the pair will not be joining Dan Malesela's side ahead of the new season.
"Sangweni is here, he has started training and he is in good shape, you will remember we never had his replacement in the middle of the park since he left us," Mpengesi told Umhlobo Wenene FM on Thursday.
"The issue is there was something like that regarding Matlaba and Morrison. The two players were signed as loans from Pirates, but what happened is that Pirates later released Morrison, they gave him his clearance.
"They gave him his papers so that he can negotiate with us, and the deal changed because we agreed Pirates will pay a portion of his salary and we also pay as well because it was a loan. We saw that if he joins us permanently, we cannot afford his salary and we could not agree.
"I can assure you that Morrison is not coming to Chippa, that is the same with Matlaba - there were reports in the media that there was an issue with him.
"We have (Tebogo) Tlolane who comes from Jomo Cosmos and others at left-back, the two (Matlaba and Morrison) players will not come to us."
1). Orlando Pirates duo Bernard Morrison and Thabo Matlaba will no longer be joining Chippa United as previously indicated.
— Chippa United FC (@ChippaUnitedFC) July 26, 2018
The Clubs had reached an agreement that Morrison and Matlaba were to join Chippa United on loan, hence the announcement was by the Club,
2.) Following the negative reports in the media regarding the move of Matlaba and Morrison, it was decided by all parties involved that the loan agreements be terminated.
— Chippa United FC (@ChippaUnitedFC) July 26, 2018
3). “Everything was in place for Morrison’s move, and we gave him a relocation allowance of R24,000 at his request. But once he’d been granted his clearance, it seemed he had a change of heart, explained Executive Chairman, Chippa Mpengesi.
— Chippa United FC (@ChippaUnitedFC) July 26, 2018
4.) Morrison has since been released from his contract at Orlando Pirates, with Matlaba opting to stay with the Sea Robbers and fight for his position in the team.
— Chippa United FC (@ChippaUnitedFC) July 26, 2018
5.) “I am disappointed by the statemements by Morrison to the public, referring to our announcement as ‘fake news’. I have been unable to reach him and his agent lately. All I want is for him to return my money, concluded Mpengesi.
— Chippa United FC (@ChippaUnitedFC) July 26, 2018
6.) Thamsanqa Sangweni has signed a two-year contract with an option to renew.
— Chippa United FC (@ChippaUnitedFC) July 26, 2018
Buyani Sali is also back with the Chilli Boys after having parted ways with the Club at the end of last season.
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