Former Hearts of Oak coach Kosta Papic may not leave Tanzania until he clears all the debts owed his club Young Africans, according to The Daily News.
In a scene reminiscent the comic of the predator becoming the prey, it has turned out that the Serbian tactician must pay the club close to 8m before he boards the plane to his homeland.
Impeccable sources at the club revealed to this paper that unlike earlier reports that Papic was waiting for release of his salary arrears so as to leave, it emerged that the former coach must take responsibility for the breach of contract apart from paying the debts including the 4m he borrowed.
The Serbian national resigned from the Jangwani based premier league leaders almost a fortnight ago, sighting discontent over the appointment of local coach Fred Minziro as his assistant.
He had served the club for less than a year and although his contract had not expired, the source said that the club paid a sum amounting to 12.8m-as salaries and other benefits up.
The source said, seeking anonymity: "Papic cannot leave, at least not for now. First, he breached the contract as he resigned before his tenure expired.
He is also linked to the myth surrounding the signing of Ghanaian striker Ken Asamoah, who cost the club a fortune but could not be used because of transfers' hitches.
"He left before the club could enjoy any services," said the source, who is on the club's leadership ranks.
The source further said the former coach must also explain the signing of flop Serbian shot stopper Ivan Knezevic and a reported debt amounting to 3.7m- apparently owed by the goal keeper.
"It is his turn to pay every cent he owes the club. Again, we will not let him go until he unveils all the myths surrounding the signing of the two players," the source said.
On Monday the outspoken coach insisted that he would leave the country today, and leave everything behind, including several salaries still in arrears that Yanga owes him. However, he refused to disclose how much Yanga owes him.
He said negotiations are going on well with a South African top flight club saying the prospect for him to join are high.
"Probably by next season I'll be in charge of the team," he said. Rumours have been going around that the Serbian was set to link up with his former club Kaizer Chiefs of Johannesburg, the team he led to success.
The Serbian took over from his fellow countryman Dusan Kondic in September 2009 and led Yanga to lucrative Tusker Challenge Cup victory barely three months after joining the Mainland top flight side.