Star player keeps Chiefs guessing

BULAWAYO Chiefs Football Club has started contract extension negotiations with exciting 23-year-old attacking midfielder Mthokozisi Msebe.

The former Zimbabwe Leopards midfielder is having a brilliant season under coach Lizwe Sweswe.

He has scored three goals in 12 games.

Msebe, who won Bulawayo Chiefs’ Player of the Month award for April, has been a vital cog at the club, coming up with six assists.

Chronicle Sport has it on good authority that the attacking midfielder is in his last six months of his contract and Bulawayo Chiefs are hoping to extend the contract.

He is among their most prized possessions.

The source said Msebe has been keeping the club guessing, dilly-dallying on finalising the deal.

“Msebe hasn’t extended the contract even though the club has approached him. An offer has been tabled but the player is keeping his options open. He keeps telling the club management that he will come but it seems his advisors have been telling him not to sign, promising to facilitate a deal for him in South Africa. They want him to move as a free agent and now the club wants him to commit with an improved deal,” said the source.

Msebe who is also comfortable playing as a winger, scored his first goal when he struck a last-minute equaliser to snatch a point at the jaws of defeat against Chicken Inn in April. The match ended 2-2.

In the same month, Msebe was also on target as Bulawayo Chiefs stunned Dynamos 3-2 at the National Sports Stadium before coming up with two assists for goals scored by veteran midfielder Danny “Deco” Phiri.

Msebe is the only player at Bulawayo Chiefs who has started and completed all of his team’s games without being taken off.

Bulawayo Chiefs secretary Dumisani Mantula-Sibanda confirmed that negotiations with the player are on-going.

“It’s true that we’re engaging the player. Obviously, when one negotiates they need time to digest what’s on the table but we believe we will reach an understanding. Msebe has been loyal to the club, a disciplined player he is, and as Bulawayo Chiefs we want to see his career flourishing,” said Mantula-Sibanda.

Already, Msebe has twice been shortlisted for Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) Player of the Month.

In April, Msebe was beaten to the award by the league’s leading scorer with eight goals, Fortune Binzi of Manica Diamonds.

The other players that were in contention for the FUZ April Player of the Month award were Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, Hwange striker Brighton Makopa and Dynamos’ defensive midfielder Tanaka Shandirwa.

Msebe is also in the running for the FUZ May Player of the Month alongside Dynamos’ Donald Mudadi and reigning Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona of FC. — @ZililoR