adminThe 19-year-old former Mzilikazi High School student is expected back home on 5 February.
Masuku is not the first player from Bantu Rovers to get an invite for trials at the top Belgian side as Marvellous Nakamba and Danny Phiri were once attached to Cercle Brugge.
In an interview yesterday, Bantu Rovers’ spokesman Wilbert Sibanda confirmed that the defensive midfielder is in Belgium and was hopeful that the youngster would make the grade.
“As Bantu Rovers we have cordial relations with Cercle Brugge and that is why every season our players get invited for training stints. At the end of the 2010 season we had Deco (Phiri) and Nakamba attached to Cercle Brugge and last year Nakamba got another invite.
“Now we managed to get Masuku an invitation and as a club we wish him well. He has been a consistent performer for both club and country and we feel this is the time for him to get a break in Europe.
“If he fails to make the grade, he will return with his head high because that exposure to familiarise with a professional set up of that magnitude is good for the player,” Sibanda said.
Former Highlanders and national team midfielder Honour Gombami was the first Bulawayo player to turn out for the Belgian club in 2007.
Warriors’ enterprising left-footed defender-cum-midfielder Vusa Nyoni also had a stint at Cercle Brugge with Odabiah Tarumbwa who spent just a season at the Belgian side.
Cephas Chimedza who turned out for Caps United is also based in that country.
Meanwhile, Sibanda said they have started their pre-season training.
Tshintsha Guluva have lost Young Warriors pair of Elvis and Kevin Moyo to FC Platinum.
There were rumours that Bantu Rovers were holding onto the players’ clearance letters demanding that the Zvishavane Premiership club pays for the duo’s development.
However, Sibanda denied the allegations and said the players had no right to demand clearance letters as that is the responsibility of the club that they intend to join.
“What we simply did as a club was to uphold professionalism in line with international football standards.
“In terms of club management, it is not the player who should seek a clearance letter but the club that wants his services. It is not true that we refused with clearance letters for the twins (Kevin and Elvis). It is also not true that we demanded a development fee in exchange for clearance letters.
“They asked for the letters and we told them that we will only write to the club they intend to join. What I can tell you right now is that FC Platinum wrote to us yesterday asking for the two players’ clearances and as it is we are working on that. We are a professional club and we do not stand in the players’ way should they want to move,” Sibanda said.
Castle Lager 2012 Soccer Star of the Year finalist and Premiership Rookie of the Year Kudakwashe Mahachi whose handlers are Bantu Rovers is yet to finalise his next move.
Mahachi was on loan to Chicken Inn last season and according to Sibanda, he might extend his stay at the fast-foods sponsored outlet.
The player had in an earlier interview said that his desire was to play for Highlanders.
“Mahachi is our player and Chicken Inn is the only club that approached us for his services of which negotiations are in progress,” said Sibanda.
Online Reporter