The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
ZIMBABWE’S representatives in the 2018 Total Caf Champions League, FC Platinum, were yesterday still battling to tie down their key targets ahead of today’s submission deadline.
The history-making Zvishavane side has to submit its 30-man squad to the Caf headquarters by midnight today, although amendments can be made by January 15.
However, these will come at a cost. By the time of going to print, Norman Mapeza’s side were still to finalise deals for highly rated utility player Liberty Chakoroma, Zambian forward Shadreck Mayembe and Cameroonian Albert Eonde.
“We are still to finalise the list,” the club’s spokesperson Chido Chizondo said, without giving away much information.
However, according to an insider, deals for former Highlanders skipper Rahman Kutsanzira, ZPC Kariba’s stylish midfielder Never Tigere and impressive Black Rhinos right back Jameson Mukombwe had been confirmed. The source also revealed that Mapeza and his technical team were also tossing between Ngezi Platinum Stars left-back Qadr Amini and Harare City’s Farai Madhanaga.
Pure Platinum Play were, however, boosted by a favourable ZIFA ruling on the long-drawn dispute involving their long-term target Lawrence Mhlanga and his club Chicken Inn.
According to a letter from ZIFA addressed to “all concerned parties”, the hard-tackling Mhlanga will be free to join any club of his choice after midnight today.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association has perused all documents in relation to player Lawrence Mhlanga, and has noted with concern that the player has been disadvantaged for long.
“We also note that the player’s contract with Chicken Inn Football Club expires on the 31st of December 2017.
“The association has an obligation to protect the interests of both players and clubs, hence, at the expiration of his current contract with Chicken Inn FC, Lawrence Mhlanga is free to join any club of his choice as a free agent,” reads the letter from the football association.
The ruling on Mhlanga was greeted with excitement in Zvishavane, where Mapeza and his technical team were finalising their Champions League squad. Chizondo reaffirmed the club’s interest in the services of the former Warriors defender.
“As we have always stated, we are interested in the services of Lawrence Mhlanga and that still stands,” said Chizondo.
Heading for the FC Platinum exit door are veteran striker Takesure Chinyama, Brian Muzondiwa and speed merchant Marshall Mudehwe, who has since been linked with a switch to Dynamos.
FC Platinum play Angolan champions Deportivo Lero Agosto in the preliminary round of the 2018 Total Caf Champions League.
Mapeza and his men get their campaign underway with a trip to Luanda during the weekend of February 9-11, before hosting their opponents the following weekend.
Should the Zimbabwean champions progress, they will face the winner between South African side Bidvest Wits and Pamplemousses of Mauritius in the first round.
