RONNIE TURNED DOWN TWO SUPER DISKI OFFERS

Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sport
RONALD Pfumbidzai turned down offers from two South African Premiership clubs and opted to sign for Northern Region Soccer League side Scottland in July.
The former Warriors and CAPS United defender had just recovered from a long-term injury that kept him out for a lengthy spell at SuperSport United when he made his mind.
It was clear he wouldn’t get significant game time at the Tshwane side, at least, for the opening months of the South African season.
Once offers began to fly in his face, Pfumbidzai was open to them and he was on his way to ink a deal with one of the top-flight sides based in Gauteng.
But while he was still packing his bags to fly back to South Africa, Scottland approached him with a too-good-to-reject package.
“I just asked myself why I would drop such an appetising deal presented to me by Scottland,” Pfumbidzai said.
“First of all, I considered the package and also assessed the potential of the team. “I was happy with both and I didn’t have to think twice.
“I can tell you that there were really good offers which came from two South African teams and a lot more teams in Zimbabwe were also inquiring about my availability.
“But the deal presented by Scottland was just too massive and I had to take it. The potential I saw in them was also very encouraging.
“That’s why I decided to say, ‘well, let me take it’.”
It was somewhat of a gamble by one of the country’s best players in recent years given Scottland were seven points behind then NRSL leaders MWOS.
But he isn’t regretting taking the risk after he helped the flamboyant side to Premiership promotion following a dramatic smash-and-grab 3-1 win over Black Mambas in the final weekend of the season last Friday.
He played an influential role to push Scottland over the line after joining them when they were on just 39 points with not only MWOS in front of them but Black Rhinos and Harare City too.
Pfumbidzai played in every minute of Scottland’s remaining 17 games where they clipped 13 wins with the remainder ending in draws.
The left-back bagged seven goals and provided 11 assists with six man-of-the-match accolades to his name.
“I think I should owe it to my teammates, the technical team and club owners,” added Pfumbidzai.
“Everyone gave it their all and it was an amazing team spirit.
“I would like to commend my team for their mentality. All thanks goes to our patron Scott Sakupwanya and the management for motivating us throughout.”