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DeMbare lose defender Katebe

Sport
DYNAMOS have lost Zambian defender Aaron Katebe, who seems headed to FC Platinum, dealing a major blow to the team’s Caf Champions League aspirations as the player had been registered for the competition.

DYNAMOS have lost Zambian defender Aaron Katebe, who seems headed to FC Platinum, dealing a major blow to the team’s Caf Champions League aspirations as the player had been registered for the competition. REPORT BY SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

The player’s manager, Gabriel Kaunda, informed Dynamos on Monday that Katebe was no longer going to join the Harare club.

Kaunda is reported to have arrived in Zimbabwe on Sunday from Zambia after insisting that Katebe would sign for the Zimbabwe champions instead of the Zvishavane-based club because of the lure of the Champions League.

He had, however, not communicated since he arrived and this had riled the Dynamos leadership.

Dynamos spokesperson Webster Chikengezha said: “Katebe is out of our plans. His manager arrived in Zimbabwe on Sunday, but he did not communicate with us.

“He only phoned us yesterday (Monday) to tell us that the player was no longer joining Dynamos. He said he was joining FC Platinum so we are now planning with what we have. It’s surprising that all along he has been telling us the player was coming to join Dynamos.”

Hwange secretary Burzil Dube appeared to suggest that Katebe still had a contract with the coalminers and that any club interested in him will have to talk to them for the release of the player.

“As for Katebe, no club has spoken to us so far. Both Dynamos and FC Platinum have not spoken to us. But we are talking to Dynamos for the transfer of Zvikumbawire (Francesco),” said Dube.

However, Chikengezha said they were not encountering any problems with Zvikumbawire. He said negotiations for his loan transfer were still ongoing and said the deal was almost done.

“We are still negotiating with Hwange for the release of Zvikumbawire, but the deal is almost done. The negotiations are going on smoothly and we expect to tie the deal any time,” said Chikengezha. Katebe was reportedly seen in Zvishavane and watched Platinum’s training sessions, fuelling speculation that he could join his former coach at Hwange Tenant Chilumba, who also hails from Zambia.

And Katebe was quoted yesterday confirming as much: “I know some will understand me some (the) will not, some they will forgive me and some will not!

“I just want to apologise to all Dynamos supporters, coaches and players for not coming to Dynamos. I really wanted to play for the Blues.”

Chilumba is awaiting a work permit before he starts work.

Platinum are finalising their squad for the 2013 season after parting ways with almost 10 senior players, among them Tafadzwa Dube, former skipper Zephaniah Ngodzo, Norman Togara, Cabby Kamhapa, Thandazani Ndlovu, Benjamin Marere and Hardlife Mawundi who loan deal expired t the end of December.

Mawundi has reverted to his former club Chicken Inn and trained with them yesterday as they started their 2013 preparations.

Kamhapa, Ngodzo, William Manondo, Monomotapa centreback Morgan Mungombe, Hwange rightback Tonisani Sibelo and Kudakwashe Mahachi are expected to be part of the Bulawayo side’s revolution this season.

Chicken Inn are yet to clear Sydney Linyama to join Dynamos after he was also registered for the Champions League.

Dynamos are expected to camp in Marondera as they step up their champions league preparations before facing off Lesotho’s Correctional Services in the preliminary round next month.

Their preparations will be buoyed by an international friendly match against South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns.