Jobless Warriors

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
WARRIORS’ players who failed to attract the attention of foreign clubs during the just-ended African Nations Championship (Chan) finals in South Africa are expected to decide their local destinations in the next few days. On Monday night Zimbabwe returned from the third edition of the tournament meant for players plying their trade in local leagues with their heads held high following a fairytale run in the competition which saw them finish fourth.

Local clubs have no doubt been monitoring players at the Chan tournament that was a fishing pond for scouts and foreign clubs as they were hoping to discover gems at the competition.

While the desire to move to better remunerating leagues is always tempting for players, not everyone managed to attract interest from foreign clubs.

Most players in the Warriors squad were out of contract and put their hopes on signing for local clubs on hold, saying they would put pen to paper after the tournament.

Players like striker Charles Sibanda who Highlanders are interested in signing, Milton Ncube, Peter “Rio” Moyo and Munyaradzi Diya who were with the Bulawayo giants, are out of contract and said they will extend their stay at Bosso after the Chan competition are back and are expected to conclude their deals.

Also out of contract from the Warriors set up are Chicken Inn FC’s 2013 captain Felix Chindungwe, Triangle’s Pasca Manhanga and goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube (Caps United).

South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns snapped up Kudakwashe Mahachi but the diminutive midfielder will join the Tshwane-based club in July.

In an interview from the national team camp in Harare, Sibanda said he was looking forward to sealing his dream move.
“I once played for Highlanders juniors and now I will be returning home and I can’t wait to put pen to paper. Once we break the national team camp, I will pass through Zvishavane seeing my wife and child where I will sleep over for a night before proceeding to Bulawayo to seal my deal. I spoke to Highlanders officials before I left for Chan and even when I was in Cape Town I told them that I will sign and I intend to keep my word because I am a man who keeps his promises. The ball is in Highlanders’ court and I trust that what we discussed they have put it in writing,” Sibanda said.

Bosso lost stocky chief striker Njabulo Ncube to FC Platinum last month and Sibanda is expected to fill the gap left by the forward who has lost pace.

He is confident that Ncube and Moyo will extend their stay at Bosso.
“I have an understanding with Rio (Moyo) and Milton who I played with at Motor Action. It will be great to re-unite with Milton and I hope together with Rio they will renew their contracts at Bosso. It will be great playing alongside the two and after the relationship that we have established at national team level, I am sure they will make my stay at Highlanders worthwhile,” he said.

Chindungwe might also be on his way to the Bulawayo giants as he is yet to renew his contract at Chicken Inn.
Bosso are said to be targeting the defender who can also play as a central midfielder as a contingency measure should the ageing legs of Innocent Mapuranga decide to buckle under pressure.

“I have been away for a while but I have heard through the grapevine that Highlanders is among the teams that have been inquiring about my availability. When I return to Bulawayo that is when I am going to weigh the options available and decide whether I stay at Chicken Inn or not,” said Chindungwe.

Goalkeeper Diya who was on the bench throughout the Chan tournament is looking forward to competition at Highlanders.
“I am still at Highlanders and I am looking forward to the new season. Last year is history and it will be foolish of me to relax thinking that because I had a great 2013 season I have an automatic place. I will continue working hard and I should be in Bulawayo a day after we break camp,” Diya said.

Another Warriors player who has drawn interest from a number of clubs is defender Eric Chipeta who had a sublime performance at Chan partnering Partson Jaure in central defence throughout the competition.

Highlanders and FC Platinum are the two clubs said to be keen on the player. Dynamos who lost Gift Bello to the platinum miners have also been monitoring the Hwange defender.

“I am still contracted to Hwange and I will be travelling there soon. My contract ends in December and any clubs interested in my services should engage my club. I know there are teams said to be keen on having me in their books but I can’t say much as everything lies in the hands of Hwange,” Chipeta said.

Hwange coach Nation Dube last week signalled that they would not be releasing their most valuable player to any local club.