Zimbabwe: Chunga Heading Back to Gunners?

Godknows Matarutse

1 July 2011

Moses Chunga could be on his way back to Gunners, a team that he turned into league champions just two years ago, after leaving CAPS United this week.

Sources revealed that talks have started between the two parties, but Gunners owner Cuthbert Chitima insisted they have not approached Chunga.

“The initial discussions have started and the only concern right now is that Bambo probably feels it’s a bit too early for him to come back into the game and so he needs to consult a few people who are close to him,” said the sources.

“Gunners held a meeting this week where the club’s leadership were not happy with a number of issues, including the way three players left for trials in South Africa without their approval.

“That head coach Darlington Dodo was also AWOL during the same period hasn’t helped matters and there is a feeling that the team needs a fresh direction and they believe Chunga could be the right man,” said the source.

But Chitima yesterday insisted that they have not held talks with Chunga.

“I haven’t talked to him and if indeed he has been approached by anyone from Gunners then it hasn’t been communicated to me yet.

“As far as I know Darlington Dodo is our head coach and we have no intention of parting ways with him.

“In fact he (Dodo) had recommended to work with Rodwell Dhlakama but Dhlakama is now at CAPS United,” said Chitima.

Bambo was at the Gunners’ training session on Tuesday, as an observer, which sparked speculation that he could be on his way back to the club.

CAPS United have also moved on, in the post-Chunga era, by signing highly-rated Monomotapa captain Tendai Samanja.

The midfielder has been a shining light for Monoz this season and CAPS United believe he could offer them a cutting edge, in midfield, where the team has struggled.

“We have signed him on a three-year contract and we are excited about bringing such a good player into our squad,” said CAPS United vice-president Farai Jere.

“His arrival, and the return of Ashley Rambanapasi, should help our midfield and we are confident about our team going into the second round.”

Interestingly, CAPS United were set to face Gunners tomorrow but the Premier Soccer League chief executive Kenny Ndebele said the match had been postponed to make way for the Cosafa Women Championships.

Ndebele said the PSL will continue to enforce the principle that clubs can only register 25 senior players as the mid-season transfer window opens today. Ndebele said clubs would not be allowed to exceed their quota of 25 players and five juniors, which was agreed before the start of the season.

A club, Ndebele said, could only be able to register new players if it still has slots that are vacant.

“It’s still binding that clubs will have a quota of 25 senior players and five players who should be juniors.

“Those clubs with a full quota of their players will have to de-register some of the players,” said Ndebele.

The transfer window opens today and runs for four weeks until July 31.

However, Ndebele was quick to point out that clubs cannot off-load players who are on contracts in order to open slots.

“A club can de-register some players but only if the contract has been terminated by mutual agreement. The contract can also be terminated if it was ending on this period or if the player is now being leased to another team. A club cannot de-register a player who still has a contract with them. Clubs have to make sure that they respect the players’ contracts,” said Ndebele.

Ndebele said some clubs have started seeking reserve international clearances with Gunners looking at recruiting Asani Nhongo who was in Mozambique while CAPS United are interested in striker Kingstone Nkata who was with Free State Stars in South Africa.

Masvingo United have released striker Tendai “DJ Malaika” Nyamadzawo, who is now club hunting.

Nyamadzawo, is trying his luck with Dynamos, hoping to get a contract after he was forced out Masvingo United.

“I was not fired by Masvingo United but I walked out after they failed to meet my contract obligations. If I want to go back and play in Masvingo I can go but I decided to come back home here in Harare where my family stays, I stay here in Harare. I’m only training with Dynamos but I have a club which I can’t just reveal to you at the moment,” said Nyamadzawo.

Masvingo United chairman Levison Nzura confirmed the development saying after the players’ revolt that erupted recently, they decided to release the striker.

“It’s not like we failed to pay him his money but he requested for a clearance to move from the club and go back to his family in Harare.

“He was one of the players who led the revolt at the club and we thought it will be for the best of the club to release him. Money issues can always be solved in good faith otherwise we would not have a team today,” said Nzura.

With the Women’s Cosafa Championships set to roll out, PSL have postponed the Gunners/CAPS United and Kiglon/Highlanders matches to make way for the tournament.

Fixtures:

Saturday: Shooting Stars v Black Mambas (Sakubva), Gunners v CAPS United (postponed), Masvingo United v FC Platinum (Mucheke).

Sunday: Hwange v Zimbabwe Saints (Colliery), Shabanie mine v Blue Ribbon (Maglas).

Monday: Kiglon v Highlanders (postponed) Monomotapa v Motor Action (Gwanzura).

Wednesday: Dynamos v Chicken Inn (Rufaro)..

AllAfrica – All the Time