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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
TOP-notch striker Obidiah Tarumbwa and defender Teenage Hadebe are expected to complete their moves to Premier Soccer League champions Chicken Inn today in time to be included in the Gamecocks’ squad for the Caf Champions League.
The two players spent the 2015 season on loan at Highlanders from Bantu Rovers alongside Nqobizitha Masuku, who has reportedly agreed terms with Zvishavane side FC Platinum.
Bantu Rovers’ general manager Wilbert Sibanda confirmed that Chicken Inn had expressed their interest in Tarumbwa, Hadebe and midfielder Raphael Kutinyu, but said the decision to join the Gamecocks would be made by the players themselves.
Sibanda said his club wrote to Highlanders soon after the season ended asking if they were interested in retaining the three players, but had not received a response by yesterday.
“Chicken Inn are interested in the players you’re asking about. If Tarumbwa, Hadebe and Kutinyu are interested in joining Chicken Inn, then we’ll let them go. The ball is in the players’ court. We don’t have a policy of stopping players from moving, provided the club interested in their services meets our demands and that of the players,” said Sibanda.
Since joining Bosso at the beginning of the season, Tarumbwa, Masuku and Hadebe formed the nucleus of the squad. Tarumbwa formed one of the most lethal striking partnerships in the league with Bidvest Wits-bound Knox Mutizwa.
Mutizwa won the Golden Boot award after banging in 14 goals from 18 games and he attributed his form to Tarumbwa’s proficiency.
Tarumbwa scored six league goals for Bosso in addition to numerous assists.
Masuku and Hadebe’s performances saw them securing regular places in the national Under-23s who represented Zimbabwe at the September African Games held in Congo Brazzaville.
The duo is part of the Warriors’ provisional squad that is in camp preparing for the African Nations Championship (Chan) set for Rwanda from January 16 to February 7.
The opportunity to play continental football could lure Tarumbwa and Hadebe to Chicken Inn.
The Zimbabwean champions, who have had a busy Christmas holiday chasing after players they want to register for the continental safari, will submit their list to Caf tomorrow.
The Gamecocks will face South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in the preliminary round of the Caf Champions League and start their campaign at home on the weekend of February 12-14 with the return leg set for the weekend of February 26-28.
Some of the players Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas has reportedly included on his wish list are Dynamos’ left-back Ocean Mushure as well as Caps United defender Stephen Makatuka.
FC Platinum beat the Gamecocks to the signature of Hillary Bakacheza, who scored eight goals for Triangle United in the just-ended season.
Online Reporter