NGEZI CATCH A BIG FISH

Nkosilathi Sibanda and Innocent Kurira

PREMIERSHIP champions, Ngezi Platinum, have won the race to sign 27-year-old Warriors striker, Obriel Chirinda from Bulawayo Chiefs.

They beat Manica Diamonds and Dynamos.

Dynamos had in December tried to secure Chirinda as a free-agent on the basis that Bulawayo Chiefs had breached his contract, which was due to expire end of this year.

However, Bulawayo Chiefs successfully defended their territory and retained Chirinda to complete his final year.

This allowed Ngezi Platinum to use their financial muscle and snatch Chirinda as part of their plans to strengthen the squad for the 2024 campaign, which will also include a maiden CAF Champions League adventure.

Ngezi Platinum also secured the services of Moses Demera who was at ZPC Kariba last season. 

Chirinda, who was last season’s Soccer Star of the Year second runner-up, scored 12 goals, missing out on the Golden Boot gong by one goal. 

He lost the race when league matches were played while he was on national duty in Rwanda.

 “Ngezi Platinum Stars is pleased to announce the signing of former Bulawayo Chiefs forward, Obriel Chirinda,” read the statement on X.

The other one read:

“Ngezi Platinum Stars is pleased to announce the signing of former ZPC Kariba forward, Moses Demera…”  

Bulawayo Chiefs’ media liaison officer, Allen Mpofu, told Zimpapers Sports:

“We are excited to announce that Obriel Chirinda has been sold to Ngezi Platinum Stars on a permanent move. 

“We want to thank Obriel for his outstanding contribution as a player at Bulawayo Chiefs FC. 

“We wish him all the best in his future endeavours and thank him for his dedication and hard work on the field. Good luck, Obriel.”

Sources said Chirinda’s value was between US$20 000 and US$25 000.

 “When we won the championship, we used mainly our junior players, we need to organise our team,” Ngezi Platinum Stars acting chairman Silence Gavi.

“That’s what we are working on, we are introducing a few experienced players so that they can guide our junior players. 

“I would say we are 75 percent (done with preparations) with players.”