adminRay Bande Senior Sports Reporter
YOUNG Warriors and Mutare Premiership outfit Buffaloes centre back Liberty Chakoroma’s manager James Lunga Meya says they have put behind the player’s ill-fated move to ABSA Premiership side Bloemfontein Celtic and will now wait until the player’s contract with the army side runs out.
With all the groundwork for a dream move to Bloemfontein Celtic already in place for the national Under-23 defender, the Mutare Premiership side recently could not let go the player for a trial stint at the BASA Premiership side.
However, his South African-based handler has no hard feelings about the botched move as he insists that they will now wait until the player’s contract with the Mutare army side runs out.
Chakoroma is contracted to the Mutare army side until the end of this year.
“The aim is to uplift these youngsters who have potential to become recognisable players and help them make impact even in Europe. We have not yet given up hope on Liberty Chakoroma and I sincerely hope that his dream will be fulfilled in the 2015-2016 ABSA Premiership season.
“I am holding talks with other clubs and the young defender might end up having to make a choice on which club he really wishes to turn out for.
“We are now concentrating on avoiding what happened the last time we tried to bring him here. I hope all the interested parties will also put the future and interest of the player first,” said the young SA based businessman, who is popularly known as Hwetu in the sprawling suburb of Sakubva where he grew up.
Meya, who has shown his passion for the development of football in Mutare through material support to Division One clubs, Tanex and Mutare City Rovers as well as individual players at Buffaloes, has also donated to Sakubva High School where he was the school soccer team captain before he earned a scholarship to enrol at Mutare Boys’ High.
Nonetheless, the gritty Buffaloes centre back, Chakoroma, has wooed the hearts and minds of many in the game with his ability to win and keep possession, traits that earned him a regular place in the national Under-20 and later Under-23 teams.
After his failed move, the youngster made it no secret that he is unhappy following his clubs’ reluctance to release him to try his luck at ABSA Premiership side Bloemfontein Celtic.
Interestingly, the young player pledged his continued allegiance to the Mutare army side, but with a heavy heart.
“It hurts me to come to terms with the fact that my club felt I should not go. What is more painful is the fact that I was promised that I would be released as and when an attractive deal comes my way. It came, but the club leadership had other ideas.
“I have no choice, but to remain where I am until my time to formally leave comes. It hurts, but I just have to come to terms with reality and continue working towards improving my game. I will be turning out for Buffaloes again this season and as usual, I will do so with all my heart despite the pain I am going through,” said the player in an interview when his envisaged move was stalled.
Online Reporter