Marufu return hits clearance snag

longer than he anticipated after Democratic Republic of Congo outfit FC Saint Eloi Lupopo delayed in issuing a reverse international transfer certificate for the player.
Marufu dumped the DRC club at the end of last season after just a season’s flirtation, having moved from Harare giants Dynamos but he is back with the club where he honed his skills – Chapungu.
Yesterday Marufu revealed that he was ready to revive his career at Chapungu and try and help the Gweru airmen to gain promotion back into the Premiership.
Marufu said although FC Lupopo were taking their time to issue a reverse clearance, he would not let that distract his focus on Chapungu.
FC Lupopo also had Marufu’s fellow Zimbabweans – goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura and midfielders Mtshumayeli Moyo and Carrington Gomba on their books.
“I would want to assure the Chapungu fans who have stood by the team that Marufu is back to help Chapungu back into the PSL.
“I am focussed on the work at hand which is to assist Chapungu back where they belong.
“It will not be easy, I know but we will have to work hard.
“Life in the First Division is not easy and requires one to becommitted and personally I will not let the issue of the clearance affect me.
“I will patiently wait for the clearance and I will not desperately push anyone in this whole issue,” said Marufu.
Marufu was hoping to have had his papers in place by the time the Zifa Central Region Division One League burst into life but he will have to watch from the sidelines at least until he gets the reverse clearance.
Despite having had a successful spell at the Lumbumbashi-based club Marufu decided against renewing his contract claiming that Lupopo had failed to fulfil a number of promises made when they signed him on.
Early this year, Lupopo, who have also lost the services of Moyo and Mazarura, made overtures to lure back Marufu back but he insisted he wanted out and has since engaged Zifa to try and assist him secure the clearance.
Chapungu vice-secretary Charles Chikwira is also hopeful the matter will soon be resolved in order for them to ultilise Marufu in their league campaign.
“We are yet to receive Marufu’s reverse transfer certificate from FCLupopo after making a request early this year.
“This could be a deliberate ploy to hold onto the clearance because they were still interested in the player despite the expiry of the one year deal.
“As Chapungu we have since engaged Zifa to handle the matter after proving that the loan deal expired and as Chapungu we simply have to wait for the document,” said Chikwira.
Marufu missed the 0-0 draw against McInn and the 6-1 drubbing of TM Eagles but could add the impetus and experience to the squad that also has a lethal forward in Brighton Mugoni.
However, it also emerged yesterday that Zifa could opt to invoke powers bestowed upon them to issue out a clearance in the event that no clearance is received from FC Lupopo who have also halted Mazarura, Moyo and Gomba’s return to local soccer.
Rules and regulations on transfers stipulate that in the event no reverse international clearance certificate is received 30 days after request the home FA can issue out one to ensure that the player’s career is not jeopardised.
Gomba was barred from travelling back at the beginning of the year while Mazarura has eyed a move to Premiership debutants Chicken Inn.
Another former Warriors international Mthulisi Maphosa who was playing for DRC’s African champions TP Mazembe has also set his sights on a return home.
Maphosa travelled to DRC this week to try and secure a release from TP Mazembe which would enable him to join cash-rich FC Platinum. FC Platinum secretary-general Phillimon Muvengwa last week confirmed Maphosa was due to travel to DRC to get his clearance from TP Mazembe.