Bubbly Gutu returns

with confidence that he might just have done enough to convince Bulgarian club PFC Litex Lovech to consider his signature.
Such a move could bring Champions League football for Gutu.
PFC Litex Lovech are the current Bulgarian champions and will feature in next season’s European Cham-pions League after wrapping up the domestic title with one match remaining this weekend.
Gutu, who arrived yesterday, spoke about his experiences in Bulgaria and the love he received from the club and the small community of Lovech, whose love for the game has helped the side scale great heights.
“This is not my first time to go for trials in Europe. I was in Turkey in 2008 but then I was still young.
“It’s different now because I am a bit mature. But I have observed that football in Europe is just the same although it differs to what we are used to here.
“There are many key areas we differ, for instance the pace, the technique and the tactics they employ. But I tried by all means to adjust and try to fit to their type of game.
“We played lots of practice matches and I was on target a couple of times. I think I did enough to impress although the final decision lies with the club,” said Gutu.
The Zimbabwe international said he remains hopeful as he awaits feedback from the club and could be the second African player in the team if he lands a contract.
Litex are rated highly in Bulgaria and have won the championship four times and the Bulgarian Cup four times.
Together with CSKA Sofia and Levski Sofia, Litex is the third Bulgarian football club that represents the country in the European Club Association.
Gutu said he was pleased by the reception he got from Litex and their supporters.
“They are wonderful people. Lovech is a small town but the people’s love of the game is amazing probably because the club has been winning titles.
“The stadium is always filled to capacity and right now Litex have won the title with 74 points, and the team in second place has 69 points ahead of the final round matches this weekend,” said Gutu.
The Dynamos family will be praying that Gutu’s return will help the struggling team regain their lost form in the Castle Lager Premiership.
“I am happy to be back and to reunite with Dynamos. I have been following the results and I hear the team has been playing well but goals were not coming. Let’s not lose hope the goals will come,” said Gutu.
It was not clear by last night whether coach Lloyd Mutasa will fast-track Gutu into the squad to face Shooting stars at Rufaro tomorrow in a Castle Lager Premiership tie.
Dynamos badly need a win, after just picking two points from their last three matches, and Mutasa could be tempted to throw in Gutu.
The Dynamos coach revealed last week that his club has missed Gutu’s artistry and creativity in midfield and chances are that, given that he was training at a higher level, Gutu could be fielded should he convince Mutasa that he is ready for the game.
Gutu is also scheduled to leave for trials in Germany but Dynamos could try and make full use of the midfielder now that he is around.
Meanwhile, Shooting Stars could wave goodbye to their perennial cash struggles after tying up a sponsorship deal with Mutare businessman Esau Mupfumi to help bankroll the club’s operations.
Shooting Stars chairman Lewis Matindife yesterday said the club had reached an agreement which could see them shifting base to Mutare, where they will play their home games at Sakubva.
“We have entered into a partnership with Mupfumi Tours under their ‘Senator’ brand.
“Mupfumi will take care of all our travelling whether home or away and a number of businesspeople have also chipped in to cater for accommodation.
“I think this will go a long way in alleviating the club’s financial problems because they have also promised incentives. At least our players will be assured of their money at the end of each month.”