Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS midfield star Mason Mushore’s European aspirations briefly collided with social media speculation, sparking confusion in Zambia and back home. But his agent, Gilbert Sengwe, has moved swiftly to dispel rumours that the 20-year-old was stranded in Lusaka while processing his visa for a move to the Czech Republic.
The storm erupted after popular Zambian social media personality Joseph Kalimbwe posted a photo of himself with Mushore at a restaurant in Lusaka. Kalimbwe claimed the young midfielder had arrived in Zambia without support.
“This is Mason Mushore, a footballer for Highlanders and the Zimbabwe national team. At 20, Mason is going for trials at a European club. He arrived in Zambia, and his manager contacted us saying he knew no one here and needed help around Lusaka. We went to the airport immediately to pick him up,” Kalimbwe wrote on Facebook.
The post quickly gained traction online, but Sengwe insists the facts tell a different story.
“There was no chaos or confusion,” Sengwe told Zimpapers Sports Hub last night. “As soon as I received interest in the player from the Czech Republic, I contacted Highlanders, and we’ve been in communication right up to the point we got the boy a ticket. He left Harare on Tuesday morning, was picked up at the airport as arranged, and went straight to the hotel.”
Sengwe explained that Mushore missed his initial embassy appointment due to timing issues but submitted the required documents the following day.
“We understand it may take between six and seven days for the application to be processed. Accommodation, transport — everything was sorted. He even had pocket money for emergencies,” he said.
Sengwe said the social media post had unfairly exposed him to criticism, despite everything being under control and Highlanders being kept informed throughout.
Highlanders acting chief executive officer, Kindman Ndlovu, confirmed the club was working closely with Sengwe.
“Sengwe paid for all the expenses, including the medicals that were required,” he said.
Mushore returned to Harare on Wednesday afternoon and is expected back in Bulawayo this morning. If cleared by the technical team, he could feature in Highlanders’ squad to face Kwekwe United this weekend.
For now, his path to Europe remains intact. The noise, Sengwe says, was just that — noise.
