Zekumbawire impresses foreign club in 45 minutes

Fungai Muderere
KHONAPHO khonapho (right here and right now) is what most football supporters would say about Harare City striker Francisco Zekumbawire who left the country last Thursday for an assessment at Tanzaniaaï¿½ï¿½s topflight league side Azam FC.It only took 45 minutes for him to impress the coaches at the super rich club who have taken him for a two-year stint.

Interestingly it took Bruce Kangwa weeks to impress the Dar es Salaam-based outfit where the two will play together.

aï¿½?It took him only 45 minutes to impress the coaches at Azam. After his arrival last Thursday, he featured as a second half substitute in Azamaï¿½ï¿½s friendly match against Uganda Revenue Authority last Friday night,aï¿½? said the playeraï¿½ï¿½s manager George Deda in an interview from Tanzania.

The friendly match was watched by scouts from different countries such as Kenyaaï¿½ï¿½s Gor Mahia since they had an eye for the player too.

aï¿½?A number of scouts watched the Azam versus Uganda Revenue Authority match and they loved Zekumbawireaï¿½ï¿½s physical presence. Gor Mahiaaï¿½ï¿½s officials were part of the people that were scrambling for Zekumbawireaï¿½ï¿½s signature,aï¿½? said Deda.

Some players have normally taken between one and two weeks to impress in foreign lands with some taking a month to clinch deals. With other players it has been a case of try, try and try again.

Meanwhile, Deda revealed that Caps Unitedaï¿½ï¿½s Abbas Amidu who recently had a trial stint with Azam FC was on the verge of joining a topflight league side in Oman, neighbours to the United Arab Emirates.

aï¿½?Abbas is going to Oman. I cannot disclose the name of the club at the moment. We are almost there with regards to his deal,aï¿½? said Deda.

Last month, Amidu together his brother BretAï¿½ (who plays for Dynamos), were invited for trialsAï¿½ with a German lower division club SSv Ulm 1846 Fussball before the former went to try his luck in Tanzania.