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Ngqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
WARRIORS coach has refuted claims that he is an agent who is actively involved in player transfers especially to the lucrative South Africa league, saying footballers who have secured contracts in that country were identified through their participation at the African Nations Championships tournament earlier this year.
In an interview at Luveve Stadium last weekend, Gorowa said he could not dictate player movement to clubs in South Africa as he did not have that influence.
“I am not involved and I don’t have that much influence, the players did well at Chan and scouts saw them. Why shouldn’t they be signed?” he said.
The Warriors managed to reach fourth place at the continental tourney that features only locally-based players and was played in South Africa in January.
Some in football circles had questioned Gorowa’s call ups to the national team saying he was motivated by boosting caps of some players so he can facilitate the transfer of these players to South Africa. There is a feeling the Warriors coach has not been selecting the most able Zimbabwean players to don the national team colours.
Gorowa’s links with South African football has seen some accusing him of failing to select deserving players for national team assignments but calling those whom he wants to assist secure moves to the neighbouring country, where players get huge salaries.
During Chan Gorowa was quoted as having made an “impassioned’’ plea to his former South African Premiership side Mamelodi Sundowns not to waste any time in signing Warriors and Bantu Rovers’ player Kudakwashe Mahachi.
Gorowa went on to say that even if they (Sundowns) did not sign Mahachi, he had six players in the Chan team who could attract attention of several South African teams.
Former How Mine player Simba Sithole has since moved to Ajax Cape Town, a team where Gorowa worked for years as an assistant coach, while the club also announced last week they have signed Highlanders’ Milton Ncube. Another Highlanders player, Peter “Rio” Moyo is scheduled to move to Mpumalanga Black Aces at the end of next month while Dynamos goalkeeper, George Chigova was also given a contract by Supersport.
Gorowa was in Bulawayo last weekend where he watched Chicken Inn play against Chapungu. He also attended the Benjani Mwaruwari Juniors Festival at White City Stadium.
Ironically Zifa chief executive officer, Jonathan Mashingaidze announced in March that the association would be investigating goings-on at the Warriors camp during Chan.
He was quoted in the Chronicle then saying: “We are taken aback by reports of external forces having had free access to the camp. Security was not tight and that left the boys vulnerable. It appears there was dealing and wheeling in camp with agents meeting players at free will. The boys had divided attention and it is disturbing to hear that there was even a pastor staying with the team.
“Even religious men have to stay away from the camp. It is a no go area because of the sensitivity to issues like match-fixing and a workshop we attended last year was very explicit on such matters.
“The Warriors was like an open market for all. We need to protect the team and national pride. Our priority was to go and play to win the tournament not to export players. If agents and clubs want our players it should be back home at their respective teams as we do not want fingers pointed at the national team.
“Already we have some teams saying they are not eager to release their players to the national team because they fear losing them. As the national association we have the interest of clubs, players and even agents at heart. No agent should be seen to be gaining an advantage over others because of links with us the secretariat, board, assembly or technical team.”
The Warriors face Tanzania this afternoon in the second leg of the first round of the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers at the National Sports Stadium in a must win encounter having lost the first leg 1-0.
Gorowa joined the now defunct South African side, Cape Town Spurs, which later merged with Seven Stars and changed its name to Ajax Cape Town as a player. He remained in the neighbouring country after retiring from playing and was appointed as a development coach at the club and later rose to be assistant coach. He has also coached Moroka Swallows and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Online Reporter