adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CAPS United’s Congolese midfielder Lundula Ahoka is set to miss the early part of the Castle Lager Premiership campaign after his club missed the transfer window to secure his reverse transfer papers from his home country.
The defensive midfielder featured in the ZNA Commander’s Charity Shield semi-final tie against Dynamos last week and impressed new coach Mark Harrison who made no secret about his intentions to have the Congolese in his squad.
However, the good news to the Makepekepe family was that Thabani Moyo has been signed on a two-year contract.
The striker, who has also played in Botswana and Cyprus, had been held back by the delay in the arrival of his reverse transfer clearance.
CAPS United chief executive, Joe Makuvire, yesterday revealed that Moyo was now available for selection ahead of their next game against FC Platinum.
The Green Machine had targeted Ahoka to fill the void created by the departure of Soccer Star of the Year finalist, Tendai Samanja, who has moved to rivals Harare City.
But with the transfer window set to close today, it has become apparent that Makepekepe may not be able to get the former CS Don Bosco man.
Makuvire yesterday said they have left three extra slots on their quota for the senior players registered at the PSL offices as they hope to add the midfielder once his papers are in place.
Ahoka is a free agent and can join the Harare giants outside the transfer window.
“We have got all the players that we wanted except probably for Lundula Ahoka. We are done with all his immigration papers, which is the most important thing and were hoping to get his ITC.
“However, that did not happen on time. But be that as it were, he can still join us outside the window since he is a free agent,” said Makuvire.
Makepekepe have also decided against registering former Highlanders midfielder Joel Ngodzo.
The ex-Zimbabwe youth international has been training with the club for over a month but there were concerns over his weight.
Makuvire said Ngodzo will not be discarded as he has been placed on a special reconditioning programme to improve his fitness and will likely come on board during the second transfer window.
“The coaches have been working with him. The club decided that he is a great player and we are not going to let him go. He is also a free agent and we are going to invest much in him as he goes through reconditioning programme.
“In fact we are investing in him,” said Makuvire.
Meanwhile, Dynamos captain Augustine Mbara and Devon Chafa of How Mine are set to feature in a practice match for Bidvest Wits today as they continue with the trials at South Africa’s Bidvest Wits.
The duo is on a week-long trial with the Johannesburg side and are expected back in time for the round two matches of the Castle Lager Premiership.
The players’ manager Gibson Mahachi said Wits are looking to consider the players for the July transfer period if they impress.
“They left yesterday (Monday) and basically they will be there for only one week. Wits asked to assess the players because they have already started preparing for next season.
“Probably they are taking advantage to hold the trials this week since they are not in action because of the Fifa international calendar for friendlies,” said Mahachi.
Online Reporter