adminRay Bande and Fungai Munyoro
YOUNG Warriors and Buffaloes centre-back Liberty Chakoroma has earned the admiration of ABSA Premiership outfit, Free State Stars FC and talks between the Mutare soldiers and the players’ manager are expected to commence soon.
James Lunga, Chakoroma’s South Africa-based manager confirmed that Free State Stars FC are keen on signing the young Zimbabwe international.
Chakoroma was invited for an initial two-week trial stint with the Johannesburg-based team.
Lunga, who is known as Hwetu in soccer circles in Mutare, said Ea Lla Koto, as Free State Stars is known, are keen on signing the Buffaloes skipper.
“Buffaloes have expressed interest in releasing the player and I am very pleased about that development.
“I will be coming to Mutare soon to open negotiations with Buffaloes’ leadership and hopefully we will reach an agreement that benefits football in Mutare as well as the youngster himself.
“I have done all the necessary logistics and everything is in place as we speak. The club is keen on signing the talented player and it now up to Buffaloes to release him.
“He is disciplined and hard working. I do not see him ending his career here in South African. I believe he has what it takes to play in Europe.
“Mamelodi Sundowns were also interested in him. I am very confident that the young man will go places,” said Lunga.
Buffaloes’ spokesperson Gladman Chimonyo also confirmed the development and said that they were negotiating with the South African club.
“We as a club have never stood in the way of players. We only need things to be done properly and there are procedures to be followed.
“Once we are done with the negotiations, Liberty Chakoroma will definitely be allowed to join any team of his choice. After all, soccer is business and we also understand that one of the ways of generating revenue for a club is in the sale of players, but like I said, things have to be done properly and professionally,” said Chimonyo.
Chakoroma started his football career at Timothy “Sicho” Masachi’s La Sakubva at a tender age of eight.
He continued with his career and has been part of Manicaland team in the National Youth Games as well as other inter-provincial soccer competitions.
It was his fine form which took him to the National Under-20 and later Under-23 teams.
Recently, he made his maiden appearance in the national team which played against Comoros in the CHAN games. The man who nurtured Chakoroma’s talent at an early age, Masachi believes the sky is the limit for the 21-year-old Sakubva star.
“The sky is the limit for Liba (Chakoroma). He will go far because he has almost everything a coach may want in a defender.
“He has the height and discipline, but he has to work hard to improve on his physical fitness,” said Masachi.
Free State Stars FC was formed in 1977 and gained promotion into the top-flight league in 1986.
The club, which finished on the ninth position on the ABSA log standings, uses Grand Globle Park as their home ground.
Some of the notable players who have once featured for the club include Zambian international and Mamelodi Sundowns goalie Kennedy Mweene and Kaizer Chiefs’ linkman Siphiwe Tshabalala.
Online Reporter