Makanda and Balakasi join Bots sides

FORMER Dynamos player Tinashe Makanda and former Simba Bhora captain Tinashe Balakasi have signed for two different sides in the Botswana Premier League.

Makanda joined Nico United, a side that has been struggling in the league as they are rooted at the base of the table, while Balakasi joined traditional giants Orapa United.

Both players were unveiled by their clubs on Wednesday and they will be hoping to feature in their team’s weekend fixtures.

Makanda joins fellow Zimbabweans Nigel Mlauzi and former Caps United player Kelvin Ndebele at Nico, with Balakasi joining Orapa shortly after the club sacked Zimbabwean coach Taurai Mangwiro.

Makanda has had foreign experience as he has previously played for South Africa’s DSTV Premiership side Stellenbosh.

He then joined Highlanders before leaving for another Zimbabwean giant Dynamos.

Balakasi has been said to be one of the country’s most underrated strikers.

He has scored 64 goals across three seasons and three divisions for Simba Bhora.

He scored 25 when they secured promotion from Division Two to Division One, scored 29 in 2022 when they secured promotion to the topflight league and scored 10 PSL goals when they survived relegation last season.

Simba have had the most visible transfer window dealings and are set to be one of the top contenders for PSL glory this year, having signed more than 10 star players from different clubs.

The most notable replacement for Balakasi at Simba is Billy Veremu who was signed from Bulawayo Chiefs.

No replacement has been made for Makanda at DeMbare as they have been announcing the signing of players who are not strikers.

He attracted the wrath of Highlanders supporters three years ago when moving to Dynamos describing the transfer as switching from cottage to the main house but his stay in Harare should be one to forget.

Makanda’s Nico will play host to Botswana giants Township Rollers at Sam Sono Stadium this weekend while Balakasi’s Orapa will travel to the National Stadium to play Holy Ghost FC.