adminThe hitman scored 11 goals last season and with his form, he can be the solution to the Chinda Boys’ problems. Shabanie did not have a dependable striker last season.
Zimunya might be the ideal replacement for Michael Mageja who seems to have lost his scoring touch at Shabanie and also to have fallen out of favour with his coach Luke Masomere. He was the notable absentee on Tuesday together with Boniface Dimanji, Tafadzwa Mombeshora and Kudzanayi Kwashi.
The asbestos miners also managed to acquire the services of Chapura who also agreed a one-year deal. Chapura is an attacking midfielder and both players were at Maglas Stadium yesterday as the miners started their preparations for this season.
Godfrey Dondo is also rumoured to be on his way to the Chinda Boys. Dondo was offloaded in the second period of the season but he seems to be hungry for the game and he wants to play as he still feels that his feet still have some energy despite being 30 something.
Masomere on Tuesday dismissed about 45 hopefuls who had come to try their luck and among those dismissed was former Caps United and Kwekwe Cables’ leftback Fetrigo Santiago.
Masomere has hinted that he does not want old players in his squad except for those who are extra good. Gunners captain Pardon Chinungwa is also rumoured to be interested in joining the miners this season. His brother Norman Togara plays for neighbours, FC Platinum.
Meanwhile, FC Platinum have offered their neighbours Shabanie first preference to choose players from those they offloaded.
“I can confirm that we were given the list to choose the players we want. It was very good of them to do that and we are still looking at the players we can get from them.
“I can also confirm that we have managed to get the services of Pervington (Zimunya) and Isaac (Chapura) whom we think will add value to the team,” said Webster Chitono, the Shabanie Mine chairman.
Meanwhile the Zifa Eastern Region Division One League clubs that finished at the bottom will no longer get a reprieve to remain in the league.
In an interview, regional chairman Fungai Chihuri said clubs that performed badly would be relegated.
Although he could not name the clubs, Murambinda FC, Ruwa FC and ZRP (Masvingo) occupied the last three positions and should pave way for Division Two teams.
Chiredzi City Stars will be relegated for abandoning fixtures towards the end of the season.
After the league ended last year, the Zifa Eastern Region administrator had said they would not be relegated.
Last year, they had 15 clubs and this year they will be 18 in the league.
Chihuri said there would be no more reprieve for the clubs that finished at the bottom.
“We are certainly going to relegate clubs that did not do well just like any other season. If you look at clubs like Chiredzi City Stars that were not fulfilling matches even at their home ground then you will understand why we should come up with such a decision.
“I cannot say how many teams will face the chop at the moment as that will be decided at the annual general meeting scheduled for February,” said Chihuri.
He added that several serious people were willing to buy franchises in Division One.
Online Reporter