adminGrace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
HARARE City skipper Francesco Zekumbawire yesterday signed a two-year contract with Tanzania top-flight side Azam as he became the latest player from the domestic Premiership to find a base in the East African country.
The gangly forward, who left the country last week for a two-week trial stint, made the grade and put pen to paper in a two-year deal.
Interestingly, it appears the Tanzanians had already made up their mind on signing the big forward because his return ticket had a date of November this year, when the league in that country goes on a break.
The club’s agents, who were here a month ago, were said to have been impressed by the player. He was thrown into action in the team’s match against Uganda Revenue Authority and in 45 minutes he convinced Spanish coach Zeben Hernandez that he was the right player.
He joins fellow Zimbabwean international Bruce Kangwa who recently signed a three-year contract with the same club.
He has since got his international clearance letter.
However, another Zimbabwean who was at the club Abbas Amidu, will be returning home after he failed to clinch a deal with the moneybags because the two parties could not agree terms.
Amidu’s return could be a big boost for CAPS United where his goal-scoring abilities, coming from deep midfield positions, has been missed by the Green Machine since he left for Germany and Tanzania in search of opportunities.
The players’ manager George Deda, who is in Tanzania with the players, said Amidu’s deal is now expected to be sealed in December and he will return to the Green Machine for the remainder of the domestic season.
Speaking from Dar-es-Salaam yesterday, Zekumbawire said he was happy to secure a deal with a foreign club.
“I just want to thank God, my mother, who has been a pillar in my short journey in football.
“The club executive of Mr Marara (Matthew) for not standing in my way especially when the club is going through difficult times.
“My coach, Moses Chunga, for giving me the armband and the confidence. All the players and supporters and my manager George Deda for making sure the deal saw the light of the day.
“And to ZIFA and PSL, I say one day I will come back and play in the country I love so much,” said Zekumbawire.
While waiting for his clearance from ZIFA, Zekumbawire is expected to feature in the sold-out Super Cup against Young Africans, the team which is home to former FC Platinum trio of Thabani Kamusoko, Donald Ngoma and Obrey Chirwa tomorrow night.
The gangly striker, who began his career at Hwange, said he contemplated quitting after things did not go well at Dynamos.
He joined the Glamour Boys three years ago, amid high expectations, but failed to impress after battling a number of injuries which made it difficult for him to settle down.
However, he was convinced by the then Harare City chairman, Leslie Gwindi, that he still had a future in the game and he joined the Sunshine Boys.
“I was thinking of quitting especially with what had gone on at Dynamos. I am very happy at the moment. I cannot even believe that I am in Tanzania,” said Zekumbawire.
Azam, who were established in 2007, have grown to become one of the big three teams in Tanzania alongside Simba and Young Africans.
They have their own stadium, training ground, apartments and they brand the Azam energy drink, chips and ice cream among a number of products.
They are backed by the Bakhresa Group of Companies.
Online Reporter