MBABANE – Eswatini international Justice Figuareido’s side Chippa United are in hot water.
This follows reports suggesting that the ‘Chilli Boys’ have been hit with a transfer ban for failing to comply with an International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) ruling. World football’s governing body ordered Chippa United to pay former coach Luc Eymael E250 000 plus interest or face immediate sanctions. The club missed the 45-day deadline to settle the debt, and the ban now takes effect as they struggle both on and off the pitch.
Under mounting pressure and with relegation looming, Chippa remain in a precarious position in the Betway Premiership following a heavy 4-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns. Despite the setback, Coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi remains adamant that the Gqeberha-based outfit can avoid the drop and the play-offs. Sihlangu forward Justice ‘Figa’ Figuareido featured for 45 minutes in the encounter, having recently returned from international duty where he scored in Eswatini’s unsuccessful Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign against Eritrea.
The striker, who signed a good deal last August, has been a bright spark in a turbulent season that has seen Chippa cycle through five different coaches. With only seven matches remaining, the club sits 13th in the standings, just six points above the bottom. The administrative failure to pay Eymael’s settlement, which includes five per cent interest dating back to December 2025, adds a major hurdle to their fight for top-flight survival.
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