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JULIUS Daudi has realised his dream move to Highlanders FC after the Bulawayo giants bought him out of his contract with Namibian side FNB XI.
Daudi was left out of Highlanders’ 30-member list that was sent to the Premier Soccer League for registration on February 13.
Complications in securing a reverse international clearance from his Namibian club had been the stumbling block for the leftback to realise his dream of playing for Highlanders.
FNB XI told Bosso that for them to release Daudi, the Bulawayo giants had to fork out $2,500, an amount that Highlanders’ chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede said they couldn’t commit themselves to raising at the time.
“Julius had an on-going contract in Namibia and his club told us that he needed to settle $2,500 before releasing him. We pleaded with them and they reduced it a bit but that wasn’t a significant climb-down.
“We couldn’t commit ourselves to that bill because we were busy signing other players so we didn’t have that kind of money to pay the Namibians, however, we’ve since sent them a sizeable amount of money which should be in their bank account and we hope to get the reverse international clearance soon to start processing his papers with the PSL,” said Gumede.
An option that was set for Daudi in the event that the club fails to get the amount demanded by the Namibians was for the player to see his contract out and join Highlanders in July as a free agent.
Daudi is not the only one who was told to see off his contract as striker Ashton Mhlanga got the same message to go back to Black Mambas until June.
Fortunately for Daudi, his performances during training and three friendly matches against Chapungu, FC Platinum and Bulawayo City at Barbourfields Stadium won coach Bongani Mafu’s admiration.
He will compete for a starting place with Honest Moyo. Bruce Kangwa, who played in the position has since been moved to an attacking role.
Having already submitted a list of 30 players to the Premiership, Mafu will now have to wield the axe on one player to make way for Daudi.
“Somebody will be dropped once we get Daudi’s clearance. It’s good to have him back as that gives us cover for the leftback position,” said Mafu.
Daudi, Obidiah Tarumbwa, midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku and defender Teenage Hadebe who are on a season’s loan from Bantu Rovers, Tendai Ngulube, Edmore Muzanenhamo and Thomas Chideu are Highlanders’ new signings for the 2015 season.
Highlanders 2015 squad submitted to the PSL:
Goalkeepers: Ariel Sibanda, Liberty Chirava, Njabulo Nyoni
Defenders: Lewis Ncube, Felix Chindungwe, Douglas Sibanda, Webster Chingodza, Honest Moyo, Eric Mudzingwa, Teenage Hadebe
Midfielders: Edmore Muzanenhamo, Tendai Ngulube, Bruce Kangwa, Welcome Ndiweni, Valentine Ndaba, Mthulisi Maphosa, Rahman Kutsanzira, Knox Mutizwa, King Nadolo, Simon Munawa, Nqobizitha Masuku
Strikers: Gabriel Nyoni, Ozias Zibande, Simba Sithole, Obidiah Tarumbwa
Juniors: Thomas Chideu, Godfrey Makaruse, Bukhosi Ncube, Ismael Musaka, Thembalethu Mthunzi.
Online Reporter