Donovan awaits SuperSport signal

Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWE goalkeeper Donovan Bernard is waiting for communication from South African Premiership side SuperSport ahead of a possible move. 

Bernard has to travel to the neighbouring country for a closer assessment which could lead to a transfer during the January window.

The Warriors goalkeeper, who is being monitored by South African clubs that also include Polokwane City, appears to have made headway with SuperSport United. 

The Tshwane-based side are seeking to add depth to their goalkeeping department with its current first-choice keeper, Ricardo Goss, an on-loan Mamelodi Sundowns player. 

The 28-year-old Bernard attracted foreign suitors when he kept goal for Zimbabwe, showing off some impressive skill during the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Nigeria in Rwanda recently. 

Reports from South Africa suggest that SuperSport’s management view him as a potential long-term solution between the posts. 

Bernard’s handlers in Zimbabwe yesterday revealed the goalkeeper is set for a trip down south where he would need to impress his potential employers. 

Bernard’s agent Gibson Mahachi told Zimpapers Sports that they were waiting for some confirmations from the club before proceeding with the travel arrangements. 

“There has been some communication going on. But now we have to wait for some confirmation from SuperSport before he can travel. They have to confirm some things first. 

“But I think that can only happen around next week because the South African clubs are currently on mid-season break, which coincided with the AFCON tournament. 

“We will update you on any progress. But as we speak, Bernard is a Chicken Inn player. He recently signed a two-year contract. There was no reason not to because his previous deal had expired,” said Mahachi. 

SuperSport are interested in adding depth to their goalkeeping department. Apart from Goss, they also have Zimbabwean Washington Arubi and Samkelo Xulu. 

The club is also home to Zimbabwean players Onisimor Bhasera, Ronald Pfumbidzai and Terrence Dzukamanja. 

They are currently third in the DStv Premiership race at the halfway mark. They are also participating in the CAF Con-federation Cup.

Matsatsantsa are searching for a goalkeeper following the passing of another Zimbabwean goalminder George Chigova and the departure of Boalefa Pule, who has since joined Motsepe Foundation Championship club Baroka FC. 

Chigova, who did not have a contract at the time, died last November from a suspected heart ailment. 

Interestingly, both Chigova and Bernard were nurtured at the famous Harare Aces Youth Soccer Academy in Harare, albeit at different intervals. 

Meanwhile, former Warriors coach Kalisto Pasuwa continues to be a subject of speculation in South Africa despite his recent confirmations that he would stay put in Malawi for another year. 

Apparently Pasuwa is under the radar of giants Kaizer Chiefs who are seeking to turn around their fortunes following a lukewarm run in the DStv Premiership. Kaizer Chiefs, who are currently under interim coach Cavin Johnson, have been linked with a number of coaches in recent months. 

According to Kickoff Magazine, respected South African mentor Pitso Mosimane has been the biggest name linked to the position but there have been question marks as to whether the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach would want to return to the PSL at this stage of his career. 

Pasuwa’s name has also been thrown in the hat. However, the former Zimbabwe and Dynamos coach still has a contract with Malawi champions Nyasa Big Bullets running until the end of 2024 and both parties have indicated they would want to honour the deal.

Kick-off sources yesterday reasoned that this may just be the official stance by Bullets to keep suitors at bay. Pasuwa, however, has revealed he was happy with his contract and remuneration at Bullets. 

“The interest from Chiefs is known to Bullets’ top hierarchy and they have made sure that the coach won’t leave the club. They have made it clear that they will do all in their powers to keep him,” said the source. 

“You know he has won five league titles in a row for the club and they won’t let him just go like that. I think they are using the issue of the contract to keep him away from suitors. Mind you it’s not just Chiefs who are interested in him. “There is Richards Bay from South Africa as well, Vipers from Uganda and the Zimbabwe national team. So you can see why Bullets want to keep him,” the source observed. 

A second source added that Big Bullets have told Pasuwa that they can only let him go if they find a suitable replacement.

“It’s not like they don’t want to release him but they have told him that since he is still under a contract he should give the club a chance to find a suitable coach to take over from him before they can let him join another club or at least let him see his contract off before they can release him.” When contacted by Kick-off for comment about the length of Pasuwa’s contract, Bullets CEO Suzgo Nyirenda stated that they can’t discuss that with the media.

“It is confidential but it’s up to the end of next season and we are already discussing for him to extend it,” Nyirenda observed.