African Stars seek advice over Kanalelo’s surprise Marumo Gallants switch

It has emerged that the former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper still had an existing agreement with Stars before putting pen to paper with the Betway Premiership side.

Kanalelo led Stars into the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League over the weekend when they eliminated Mangasport of Gabon via the away-goal rule at Lucas Moripe Stadium. However, the 55-year-old did not return to Namibia, instead took a detour to Gallants.

Kanalelo reportedly began working with the PSL on Monday morning while Stars remained under the impression he would be in charge when they face Orlando Pirates next month for a place in the Champions League group stage.

With Kanalelo officially replacing Phuti Mohafe as Gallants coach, Stars chairman Salomo Hei has suggested there could be a case for breach of contract.

“African Stars are working on remedial action which is to get a replacement coach to get us to the group stage and at the same time consulting, given that the coach [Kanalelo] was under contract,” Hei told the public broadcaster. 

READ: AFCON Pamoja visa to give football fans access to all three host countries

Gallants, meanwhile, said in their announcement that they expect Kanalelo to be on the bench when they host Pirates at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday.

It remains to be seen whether the contractual dispute will be resolved by then, with Stars now racing to find a replacement ahead of their crucial continental assignment.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa, as Gallants are affectionately known, are rooted to the bottom of the log table with no wins in six games.