adminNoel Munzabwa
WHEN the MTN Premier League of Swaziland mid-season transfer window period closed last week, Tawanda Chikuku headlined the switches among Zimbabwe born players.
After being deemed excess baggage at Manzini Wanderers, the Zimbabwean midfielder headed to National First Division outfit Moneni Pirates who look poised to bounce back to elite football next season.
Chikuku had spent three seasons at the popular hub giants, Manzini Wanderers.
Wanderers had also decided against the signing of Zimbabwean midfielder Hloniphani Ndebele, who spent the whole of last week training with the maroonA� and white ensemble.
The former Mbabane Highlanders playmaker could not rejoin the a�?Wesliansa�� before the transfer deadline last Friday due to the foreign quota which allows teams to have only five international players.
This is the second time Ndebele has suffered a Wanderers setback after an injury froze out a move atA� the beginning of the season.
At Green Mamba, recent arrivals Lloyd Majarira and Martin Nyanzira look set to be deregistered to make way for former Jomo Cosmos players.
In a weird move, Mbabane Swallows gave defender Talent Maphosa a clearance valid for Zimbabwe league only.
Swallows threatened to charge a clearance to any Swazi club that could want to sign the former Matshiyakwakhiwe defender.
Meanwhile, Manzini Wanderers have finally conceded that coach Shepherd Murape (66) does not have the qualifications needed to coach in the country.
The club has given the Zimbabwean mentor a one-week ultimatum to get his papers in order or else they revoke his contract with the club.
As a result, the team had handed over the coaching reins to assistant coach Anthony Mdluli, who will be assisted by Velekhaya Mthethwa and Clement Mdluli.
The club general manager, Patrick Gamedze, said the club valued Murapea��s impact since his arrival in the team, but would not want to be seen to be working against the minimum coaching qualifications required in the country.
a�?He comes from an ancient coaching era and his diplomas in coaching qualification, which he submitted to us, do not tally with the minimum Caf B Licence that the FA demands for a Premier League coach. The directors have given Murape a one week leave of absence to try and acquire the needed qualifications, but if after a week he is unable, the directors would meet and decide on his future,a�? Gamedze said.
He said the coach left for Namibia to try and see if he could get the Caf B Licence where he acquired the Diploma in Coaching qualification.
a�?We have spoken to the coach about the problem we were having with his qualifications and we made him aware that he has to find a solution to the issue. The directors gave him a one-week leave of absence. However, we want to assure our supporters and other stakeholders that management is handling the situation very well.
a�?We can guarantee that it is not going to affect the performance of the team, as we have already handed over the responsibility to the first assistant, Anthony Mdluli, to take charge. He will work with his assistants,a�? he said.
The former Zimbabwe national team coach confirmed heA� possesses a Fifa Professional certificate which he obtained in 1982 inA� Belgrade, Serbia.
He has been watching the team from the grandstands in three matches against Manzini Sundowns, Bad Boys and Young Buffaloes after failing to submit his papers to the TDa��S office.
Online Reporter