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Ricky Zililo
Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO City FC have strengthened their strike force by signing veteran striker Mkhokheli Dube, in a move club chairman Jerry Sibanda described as a statement of intent towards securing the Southern Region Soccer League title.The former Zimbabwe youth international penned a deal that is reviewable at the end of the season on Monday.
Dube joins City after being offloaded by Castle Lager Premier Soccer League leaders Chicken Inn during the mid-season transfer window in July.
“Dube is an experienced player who we believe will effectively contribute towards our promotion into the PSL. He has been training with us for some time and showing great commitment and good leadership skills. He joins us as a free agent and we’re now preparing his paperwork so that he starts playing as soon as possible,” said Sibanda.
City will not have any difficulties registering Dube whose contract with Chicken Inn was terminated before the mid-season window closed on July 31.
Dube was reportedly given his clearance letter by the Gamecocks on July 29, two days before the window closed.
Zifa Southern Region administrator Augustine Ndlovu said his office was yet to get Dube’s registration papers and referred further questions to board member Jabulani Chinyangarara.
“Our registration system is the same with that of the PSL. If a player is a free agent by the time the window closes, he can be registered anytime. We can’t register a player whose contract was terminated when the window has already been closed,” Chinyangarara said.
Dube, a former Bosso forward, who also played in the US Major League Soccer (MLS) for New England Revolution and Chicago Fire, will compete for a starting place alongside seasoned strikers Simba Sithole, Qinani “Chroma” Sibanda and Mkhululi Moyo.
The speedy striker had an illustrious career at MLS side New England Revolution where he spent three years between 2008 and 2011, scoring 14 goals in 72 appearances.
In his first season at New England Revolution in 2008, Dube was named a Rookie of the Year finalist and also won the SuperLiga Championship.
Dube had a brief stint with Chicago Fire before packing his bags for Durban, South Africa, to play for AmaZulu where he signed a three-year deal in 2012. The coastal side released him six months into his contract after hiring new coach Graig Rosslee.
The former national Under-20 striker then joined Chicken Inn and was in his third year with the Gamecocks at the time his contract was terminated.
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