Bantu Rovers back from tour

Both players are midfielders.
Speaking soon after their arrival, Bantu Rovers’ spokesman Wilbert Sibanda said Homela would try his luck at Texas FC, a development club in America, while Nakamba is heading to Belgium’s Cercle Brugge.
Former Highlanders’ Honour Gombami, who is at Cercle Brugge, is expected to welcome Nakamba who is going for the second time for trials at the Belgian club which is in the Pro League.

“We had a great tournament in the States and as Bantu Rovers we are pleased to say that most of our players managed to attract scouts from other countries. Two of our players Dion Homela and Marvelous Nakamba did not return as they will be undergoing trials at Texas FC and Cercle Brugge respectively. We wish them the best in their endeavours to secure deals abroad.

“We could have left a number of our players there but the challenge we had was that they had attracted college teams and for them to make it they have to have at least five Ordinary Level passes. Most of the boys because of opportunities in America have voluntarily said they are going to supplement for the subjects that they do not have,” Sibanda said.

Two years ago Nakamba went with Danny Phiri, who is now at Chicken Inn, for an attachment at Cercle Brugge and the national Under-20 midfielder who will now miss the African Championship qualifier against Botswana, will be hoping to make the grade in Belgium this time around.
As for Homela, his gods might have smiled at him as he only joined Tshintsha Guluva early this year from Highfield United.

Bulawayo giants Highlanders overlooked Homela alongside Ugandan Harris Kajubi who had been recommended to Bosso by legendary striker Peter Ndlovu but Bantu Rovers quickly snapped them.
Most Zimbabweans who have moved to play soccer in America like Mkhokheli Dube, Joseph Ngwenya, Methembe Ndlovu, Thubelihle Nkomazana, Lucky Mkhosana and Mubariki Chisoni started at colleges and went on to make waves in that country’s Major Soccer League and Professional Development League.

Bantu Rovers lost in the semi-finals 3-1 to Arsenal FC USSF Under-17/18s.
They had to come from a goal down to win                         4-1 in their opening group encounter against Central Carlifonia Blues, beat Charming Club 5-0 in their second game and lost to 3-0 to Chelsea’s development side, Solar Chelsea Under-17/18 USSF Academy in their last group match.

Tshintsha Guluva then beat Charming Carlifonia 3-0 in the quarter-finals.
Sibanda said they established a number of contacts at the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup competition.
“There were scouts from AS Roma, Manchester City and other European clubs who were monitoring our players and we hope to utilise contacts we established while at the tournament. We will also be having some players from the US joining us during the mid-season transfer-window,” said Sibanda.

Castle Lager Premiership board member and Zifa Constitutional Review Committee member Tawengwa Hara who was the head of delegation spoke highly about the reception they received in Dallas.

“It was a great tournament and a good place for exposing these youngsters’ talents to scouts. I must say I was happy with the way the boys and the entire travelling party behaved.

“We were well received and the Zimbabwean community living in the States was very supportive. One Nkolomi (brother to Highlanders’ board member Mgcini) invited us to his restaurant where he treated us and people like Mpumelelo Dzowa organised things for boys to bring home. It was just great and I hope more clubs will manage to establish relations in other countries so that they take their boys there for exposure,” Hara said.
Among prominent people who watched Tshintsha Guluva were former Highlanders coach Bobby Clark, ex-Warriors, AmaZulu and Caps United gaffer Charles Mhlauri and Thulani “Biya” Ncube who captained Highlanders to back-to-back championship titles at the beginning of the millennium.