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Langton Nyakwenda
COTE D’IVOIRE-born Burkinabe star striker, Stephane Aziz Ki, has emerged as one of the most sought-after players in the South African Premiership.
As transfer talk intensifies ahead of the start of the 2024/2025 Betway South African Premier Soccer League, which kicks off on Saturday, 28-year-old Aziz Ki has emerged as one of the major target for Soweto giants and rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns are also reportedly interested in the forward.
Aziz Ki plays for Young Africans SC, and scored a brace when the Tanzanian side beat Kaizer Chiefs 4-0 in the Toyota Cup last Sunday.
His teammate and Zimbabwean forward, Prince Dube, has also become a subject of discussion in South Africa, with former Kaizer Chiefs striker Fees Moloi urging Amakhosi “to do everything in its power to secure” the Yanga SC duo.
Moloi was quoted by Kick Off yesterday urging Chiefs to gin for Aziz and former Highlanders talisman Dube
“If I was the decision maker at Kaizer Chiefs, right now I’d break the bank for Dube and Aziz.”
Dube, a former SuperSport United striker, was also on target on Sunday.
However, chances are high he won’t move to Kaizer Chiefs, who already have five foreigners on their roaster.
The local Premiership’s man of the moment, Khama Billiat, has also been linked with a return to the South African Premiership or a move to Tanzania, following a remarkable stint at Yadah Stars where he has scored nine goals.
Apart from Billiat, there has not been any other local player who has attracted strong interest from the South African top-flight clubs.
Instead the little interest on local players has come from lower league sides, with Yadah’s unheralded midfielder Blessed Ndereki, now set for trials at South African First Division side Upington City.
It was a similar tale during the South African Premiership’s January transfer window when local top-flight player crossed south of the Limpopo.
“It’s a reflection of the talent we now have in the country,” remarked local agent George Deda.”It’s more about quality and I am afraid standards have dipped.”
Gone are the days when Zimbabwean players used to dominate in the South African Premiership.
Former footballers such as the late Francis Shonhayi, Edelbert Dinha, Method Mwanjali, Esrom Nyandoro, Innocent Chikoya, Tinashe Nengomasha and Willard Katsande and Kaitano Tembo were captains at their respective South African Premiership sides top flight sides.
None of the recent winners of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Soccer Star of the Year award have managed to break into the elite league in South Africa.
Of late, some Zimbabwean players have found a sanctuary in Botswana and Mozambique.
Deda confirmed interest from Mozambican side Ferroviario in the Dynamos duo of Kevin Moyo and Shadreck Nyahwa.
“However, their deals can only sail through in December as the transfer window in Mozambique is closed,” Deda said.
“But, Ndereki is going to South Africa anytime soon.
“There is a lot of interest in the boy from a lot of clubs in the South African First Division.”
Upington City have already written to the South African Embassy in Zimbabwe to kick start Ndereki’s travel arrangements.
“This letter serves to affirm that Mr Kevin Blessed Ndereki, a professional footballer has been approached by our club Upington City Football Club, a professional football club registered with National Soccer League in South Africa for trials.
“He has been invited to undergo a period of assessment with the club for six weeks,” read a letter by Upington City general manager, Elasto Kapowezha.
Ndereki is also being tracked by Venda Football Academy, who are home to former Harare City and CAPS United defensive midfielder Tatenda Tavengwa.
Online Reporter