Mthulisi Maphosa heads to D1

Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
FORMER Highlanders midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa is set to sign for Premiership aspirants, Bulawayo Chiefs as the team takes another go at promotion to the elite league.

Chiefs, who were beaten to the title on the last day of the Southern Region 2016 Division One season are taking another aim at the title, hoping to utilise the experience of Maphosa to earn them promotion to the PSL. Chairman James Rugwevera confirmed Maphosa has been training with them and they are hoping to seal a deal with him by the end of the week.

“Yes, it’s true that Mthulisi is training with us and we are looking forward to have him in our team this year. He is a player who has experience at the highest stage of the game and I think his presence in our team can certainly inspire us to win the title this time around,” said Rugwevera.

Maphosa last year turned out for Bulawayo City in the Premiership but his appearances were limited by the long running knee injury he sustained while playing for Bosso. Rugwevera said they will have to monitor Maphosa’s injury and hope he will be able to recover and play a meaningful role for the side.

Maphosa has an illustrious career in the game and emerged as one of the top midfielders in the country, having played for former league champions, Zimbabwe Saints, now defunct Monomotapa, Democratic Republic of Congo top side TP Mazembe and Bosso.

Rugwevera revealed his side lost several players but are assembling a new squad that would challenge for the title.

Meanwhile, former Highlanders captain Felix Chindungwe surfaced at Tsholotsho’s training session on Wednesday and is reportedly earmarked for a deal at the club. Chindungwe was off-loaded at Highlanders after his contract was not renewed this year.

A source at the club said the technical team has recommended to the executive that he be given a contract and is likely to put pen to paper this week. Tsholotsho chairman Mlamuli Phiri said they would be pleased to have an experienced player like Chindungwe in their ranks.

“Yes, I saw Chindungwe at training and as an experienced player, I think he can add grit to our side and prove a great motivator for other players. We have not finalised anything with him but I’m certain it is only a matter of time before he joins us formally,” he said.

Chindungwe joins former Chicken Inn teammate, Canaan Nkomo who is also close to putting pen to paper at the side. Phiri cast doubt on the team’s purported move to Beitbridge saying they are yet to make a final decision.