Players loathe local contracts

Sports Reporter
SOME members of the Warriors’ squad in camp for next month’s Africa Nations Championships set for South Africa are reluctant to sign for local clubs until  after the tournament where they hope to attract interest from foreign clubs. Local Premiership clubs are hard-pressed to tie down their prized players ahead of Chan as they risk losing them to foreign teams.
The tournament will run from January 11 to February 1.

Clubs intending to sign some of the players in Ian Gorowa’s 29-member squad need to do so when the Warriors break for Christmas sometime next week.

The duo of Kudakwashe Mahachi and Charles Sibanda has said that they will decide on their future after the Chan finals.
The maverick Mahachi, whose rights lie with Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League club Bantu Rovers, has said he wants to stay in the Premiership following his loan-expiry with Chicken Inn for whom he has played in the last two seasons.

Mahachi is also hoping to get a favourable response from South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns who invited him for trials towards the end of the season and promised to respond by Christmas.

“I want to play in the top flight but like I said before, I am not in a hurry to make any decision at the  moment. I am concentrating on impressing the national team coaches so that I make it into the team for Chan.

“Remember, I am waiting for Mamelodi Sundowns to respond and if they don’t sign me, I will work hard and grab the Chan competition as an opportunity to help my country win something as well as market myself to scouts out there.

“Honestly, I think the best time for me to decide my future will be after the Chan tournament or when Mamelodi Sundowns have responded,” said Mahachi.

The dribbling winger, who Gorowa said is more of a striker than a midfielder after the Mozambique friendly at Barbourfields Stadium a fortnight ago, is on Dynamos’ wish-list. DeMbare wanted to register the player for their Caf Champions League campaign.

The Mzilikazi-bred left-footed attacking midfielder has in the past declared his desire to play for his childhood club, the Bulawayo giants Highlanders.

Chicken Inn are also keen on retaining the services of the former national Under-20 star.
Also moving at a snail’s pace to commit himself is Sibanda whose contract with FC Platinum runs out on December 31, 2013.
The former Entumbane High School student is eager to return to Bulawayo having spent the better part of his career playing away from his hometown.

Sibanda has played for Hwange, Motor Action and Zvishavane’s FC Platinum.
He returned to the country from South Africa last Thursday after attending a week-long trial at SuperSport United.

“There is no need to rush to sign any contract right now. There are a lot of things to consider and I will be looking at all offers that come my way so that I make an informed decision.

“The other thing, I am in the national team camp and issues like these transfer talks can affect my performance if I am not careful and that is why I want to concentrate on the job at hand first,” said Sibanda.

Social media has been awash with reports that Masimba Mambare has been offered a three-year deal at Bosso but is yet to put pen to paper.

A seasoned administrator who spoke on condition of anonymity said the players’ stance on holding back is meant to maximize on any moves after the Chan tournament.

“The thing is that they know that some foreign clubs, especially from South Africa, might need their services after the tournament and players want to cash in on being free agents.

“The players are trying to avoid a situation where interested teams negotiate with their local clubs in the event that they have running contracts.

“However, there is a danger that these players might find themselves homeless in the unfortunate event that they pick up injuries at the tournament and they haven’t signed for any club.

“My advice to such players is that they can sign a contract with any club of their choice locally just to secure a future and have a clause that spells out certain terms in the event that they move,” said the administrator.