admin
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
YADAH have conceded eight goals in their last two matches.
They have one win in five matches and are now third from bottom on the log.
With 17 points from as many matches, their return is below par and The Miracle Boys must be praying for resurrection as they seek to bounce back in the second half of the season.
After stunning defending champions FC Platinum 1-0 at Mandava on Match Day 15, Yadah went on to lose 3-1 against Chicken Inn at Baobab, before suffering a heavy 5-1 defeat against Dynamos at Barbourfields last Sunday.
They play resurgent Green Fuel at Gibbo on Saturday hoping to turn the tables against Rodwell Dhlakama’s vastly improved side.
However, Yadah have been boosted by the availability of three Brazilian players Joao Pedro (20), Pereira de Brito David (21) and Luciano Farias Juan (20).
The trio sat out last weekend’s thumping against DeMbare but are now allowed to play after their work permits were finally processed yesterday.
Yadah chairman Everson Chatambudza confirmed the development.
“The trio’s work permits are now out,” he said.
“It’s now up to the coaches to select them but I can confirm the Brazilians are now eligible to play in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League,” Chatambudza said.
The three players were scouted in Rio De Janeiro and are managed by Real Betis Academy Zimbabwe chairman Gerald Sibanda.
They played for Regional Championship leagues in Brazil before they were lured to Zimbabwe by Sibanda.
It’s a development that is exciting many local football followers.
Yet some are doubting the players’ quality. They are wondering why Brazilian players can opt to play in a Zimbabwean league, given the abundance of talent in the South American country which is a major exporter of players to top European leagues.
“It’s very important to change the narrative of brand Zimbabwe in world football,” Sibanda said.
“We need to have world class standards and opportunities for our football sector to unlock its full potential as a commercial industry.”
The coming in of Brazilian players is seen as a massive investment by Yadah who are financed by Walter Magaya and renowned gold buyer Scott Sakupwanya.
The two want to transform Yadah into a football nursery that breeds top players for export.
“I have a scouting network in Rio De Janeiro and the priority is to find players for European markets,” explained Sibanda.
The three Brazilians are now set to make history by becoming the first players from the football-rich South American to play in the local league.
They will be tested at Gibbo on Saturday against a revived Green Fuel.
The Ethanol Boys have improved immensely since the arrival of Dhlakama and his assistant Darlington Dodo.
They have three wins and a draw in their last five matches and are now 11th with 20 points.
Fixtures:
Saturday: GreenFuel FC v Yadah (Gibbo), FC Platinum v Simba Bhora FC (Mandava), Ngezi Platinum v Bulawayo Chiefs (Baobab), Black Rhinos v Cranborne Bullets (Bata), Chicken Inn v Sheasham (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v Highlanders (Nyamhunga)
Sunday: Manica Diamonds v CAPS United (Gibbo), Herentals v Triangle (Mandava), Dynamos v Hwange (Barbourfields)
Online Reporter