Aces withdraw Mutasa

Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
ZPC Kariba midfielder Wisdom Mutasa is unlikely to make his Premiership debut for his new side this afternoon when they host Border Strikers at Nyamhunga.

His handlers have ordered that he should not be fielded until the club pays signing-on fees for the player.

A row has erupted between Aces Youth Academy, the parent club of Mutasa, and ZPC Kariba over the delay in the payment of the signing- on fees.

Aces have made it clear that their player will only kick the ball after he has been paid his dues.

Mutasa moved to the resort town during the transfer window after he was issued with a reverse international clearance from Slovakia club SK Senec which he dumped just after three months.

However, the Kariba side are yet to give their new players signing-on fees and are waiting for the company to fulfil their promises.

The delays have angered Aces Youth Academy directors and they have made it clear that they have withdrawn their player’s services until he has received his dues.

Efforts to get a comment from Aces director Nigel Munyati yesterday were fruitless.

During the pre-season friendly matches, Mutasa was in fantastic form and scored against Dynamos in the ZNA Charities Shield tie, firing home directly from a corner.

ZPC Kariba went on a shopping spree during the off-season and acquired about 10 new players.

They now have on their books former Chapungu forward Tinei Chitora, the ex-Harare City duo of Talent Chawapiwa and Lincoln Zvasiya, Takabva Mawaya from Hwange, former CAPS United players Takudzwa Mahori and Godknows Mangani, Never Tigere and Timire Mamvura.

The club has balanced youth with experience and will depend on the likes of former Kaizer Chiefs defender Thomas Sweswe as well as striker Protasho Kabwe.

But veteran coach Sunday Chidzambwa says it will take some time before the team gels.

“We have been together for almost eight weeks but it is still a long way to go before the team can play with the fluidity we want.

“We have more than ten new players and so it will take time but we are looking forward to a good season.

“We are still newboys in the league as we have a acquired a lot of new players. We have a good squad that can compete throughout the season and by the second half of the season we would be in a better position to know where we stand,” he said.

Chidzambwa said they were ready for their battle against Border Strikers.

“For this encounter we are ready. We have been working hard, but unfortunately, we don’t know our opponents.

“The new teams are dangerous and they have a seasoned coach but we have to try and work hard and get a result,” said Chidzambwa.

Former ZPC coach, Saul Chaminuka, who is now the gaffer of the Beitbridge-based side, said they are ready for a fresh dance in the top-flight league.

“We are prepared for the game, but you know when a team is new it is difficult to know whether the preparations were enough or not.

“But after a month or so I expect us to be in a better position to assess how ready we are.

“I am not reading a lot into my tenure at ZPC Kariba because that team has changed and it is virtually a new team,” said Chaminuka.

The Warriors assistant coach said his main objective this season was to avoid relegation.