Chippa United’s Transfer Saga Delays Justice Figuareido’s PSL Debut

When Justice John Paul Figuareido, a 27‑year‑old eSwatini international forward, finally gets his paperwork signed, Sinethemba Badela, head coach of Chippa United will have the striker to fire up his attack for the 2025/26 season. The problem? A tangled transfer saga that keeps the player from being registered with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and from stepping onto the pitch at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The move from Richards Bay FC was announced in June, yet the deal remains incomplete, leaving fans and the coaching staff in limbo.

Background on the Transfer Saga

Richards Bay FC, affectionately known as “The Natal Rich Boyz,” secured Figuareido’s services for the 2023/24 season. He logged 22 league appearances, scoring two goals and providing two assists, helping the club finish in the top eight. At the end of that season, the club embarked on a rebuild, off‑loading its top scorer Yanele Mbuthuma to Orlando Pirates and targeting the acquisition of fresh attacking talent.

Chippa United swooped in during the July transfer window, announcing a two‑year contract for Figuareido and also signing fellow striker Somila Ntsundwana. The announcement came just days after Chippa’s 1‑1 draw with reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, a match that underscored Badela’s desire for more firepower up front.

Why Figuareido Matters to Badela’s Plans

"We built the squad around a forward who can press, hold up play and finish," Badela told reporters after the Sundowns game. The coach emphasized that Figuareido’s right‑footedness, aerial ability, and work rate fit the high‑press system he intends to deploy. With Chippa sitting at the bottom of the table after the opening round, the striker’s addition could be the catalyst for a turn‑around.

Beyond tactics, the forward offers a commercial boost. eSwatini’s national team has a growing fan base in the Eastern Cape, and the club hopes the signing will increase match‑day attendance and local sponsorship interest.

Administrative Hurdles and Work Permit Rules

The PSL limits each club to five non‑local players in the match‑day squad. While Chippa has already filled four of those slots, they must still obtain a work permit for Figuareido. The process involves:

1. Personal documentation finalized in eSwatini – passport, birth certificate, and tax clearance.
2. Submission of a work‑permit application to the Department of Home Affairs.
3. Registration of the transfer with the PSL’s Player Registration Committee.

Badela confirmed that the striker flew back to eSwatini last week to sort the personal paperwork, but the club still awaits the home‑affairs clearance. “We’re on the line with the league’s registration office,” he said. “Every day that passes, the squad feels the gap.”

Industry insiders suggest the delay may also stem from a clause in Richards Bay’s contract demanding a reciprocal loan or a sell‑on percentage, which the two clubs are still negotiating.

Impact on Richards Bay FC and the Wider Transfer Market

Richards Bay’s attacking line has been reshaped dramatically. After letting go of both Mbuthuma and Figuareido, the club promoted two academy forwards and signed a veteran centre‑forward from the National First Division. The overhaul illustrates a broader trend in South African football: mid‑tier clubs using player sales to fund infrastructure upgrades.

“We’re not just off‑loading for cash,” said Richards Bay FC’s sporting director, Thabo Mkhize. “We’re rebuilding with a younger core that can sustain us longer. The Figuareido deal was part of a larger plan.”

The delayed registration also highlights the tightrope PSL clubs walk under the foreign‑player cap. When one spot is occupied by a pending transfer, clubs may hesitate to pursue additional overseas talent, potentially limiting the league’s global talent pool.

What Lies Ahead for Badela’s Campaign

Chippa United’s next fixture is a home game against Durban City (the club’s relocation to the coastal city for the season). Badela expects Figuareido to be ready at least for the second half of that match, assuming the work‑permit clears within the next ten days.

In the meantime, Badela has turned to his existing forwards, rotating the likes of Lebo Mthembu and Steven Ndebele to keep the attack ticking over. The coach remains upbeat: “The squad is resilient. Once Justice joins us, we’ll have the depth to push for a mid‑table finish.”

Key Facts

• Player: Justice John Paul Figuareido, eSwatini forward, age 27.
• Previous club: Richards Bay FC (22 apps, 2 goals, 2 assists, 2023‑24).
• New contract: Two‑year deal with Chippa United, announced June 2024.
• Pending steps: Personal documentation in eSwatini, work‑permit approval, PSL registration.
• PSL foreign‑player limit: Maximum five non‑local players per squad.