adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
DEFENSIVE midfielder Brian Mapfumo has retraced his footsteps back home and rejoined former champions Monomotapa just in time to beat the deadline which closes at midnight tomorrow.Monomotapa chairman Joseph Mukoki revealed that they had agreed terms with the 25-year old yesterday and were in the process of regularising his move, together with that of youthful defender Lawrence Mhlanga who joins them from Chicken Inn.
Mapfumo had moved to Botswana’s Township Rollers early this year and has also been targeted by South Africa’s Platinum Stars who invited him for trials last month.
Mukoki yesterday welcomed Mapfumo’s return as Monoz have been struggling to perform consistently this year after losing several key players at the beginning of the season.
“We have been looking at beefing up our team in central defence and in the midfield department which I believe have been giving us problems.
“I am glad we have agreed terms with Mapfumo today (yesterday) and we are welcoming him back to the team. He should start training tomorrow (today) and hopefully we will improve in that area.
We are also looking at releasing some players whom we think have not raised to the desired levels,” said Mukoki.
However, Monoz are still in suspense over the availability of their star midfielder Ronald Chitiyo for the remainder of the season. Chitiyo who was voted the second runner-up in the ballot to choose the best players in the Castle Lager Premiership last season, has been linked with South African clubs.
Early in the year the Monoz player went for assessment at Ajax Cape Town and Orlando Pirates and his manager Edzai Kasinauyo afterwards said a move for the diminutive midfield was imminent.
Chitiyo arrived at Ajax as then assistant coach Wilfred Mugeyi was heading to Chippa United. The former Zimbabwe striker is the one who had shown interest in Chitiyo. Mukoki yesterday said they were not sure if they will be able to finish the season with Chitiyo as he is scheduled to go for another trial stint in South Africa.
“Ronald might be snatched from us any moment because there is some indications that he could go. We are not sure yet about how things will turn out as we are still waiting for confirmation from the club. But it looks highly that he might go,” said Mukoki.
Monomotapa, who won the domestic league title in 2008, are currently struggling to get their game going as they sit just two places above the relegation zone in the log table.
Monoz have 22 points from 18 games and would need to turn around their fortunes in the remaining games to find their way back to the top eight.
Meanwhile, Harare giants Dynamos yesterday finalising the registration of towering defender Victor Kamhuka who joins them from relegated South African outfit Black Leopards.
DeMbare are also targeting to bring on board Tafadzwa Rusike if a move for the former CAPS United winger does not secure a deal in Belgium.
The Glamour Boys have since roped in former son Benjamin Marere and Oscar Machapa.
The PSL transfer window will close midnight tomorrow although there have been indications that the deadline could be revised backwards by 24 hours. This means clubs could be forced to wrap up their transactions before midnight today since tomorrow has been declared a national holiday to allow the holding of the national elections.
Online Reporter