Orlando Pirates outcast Zvenyika Makonese is on trial at Castle Larger Premier Soccer League leaders FC Platinum.
Makonese was released by the Soweto giants early this month after spending the better part of a two-year spell at the club warming the bench.
Now he has resurfaced at FC Platinum where he is eager to impress Rahman Gumbo and fit into the championship-winning coach’s plans.
This also marks the defender’s return to Zvishavane after he left the mining town seven years ago when he turned out for Shabanie Mine to join Cape Town-based club Santos.
He also used to be on the books of neighbours Gaths Mine in the Eastern Region Division One League.
As has become the norm, FC Platinum denied any links with the 34-year-old defender but highly-placed sources revealed that Makonese has been training with the club since last week.
He featured for the platinum miners in a friendly match against Central Region Division 1 League outfit Tripple B last Wednesday where FC Platinum lost 2-1.
“We do not know anyone by the name Zvenyika Makonese. We have never seen him here at FC Platinum,” said club secretary Phillimon Muvengwa yesterday.
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But club insiders confirmed that Makonese is training together with former Caps United defender Itayi Gwandu, goalkeepers Maxwell Nyamupanedengu and Munyaradzi Diya who was released by Zimbabwe Saints.
They also revealed big-name players are likely to be offloaded.
“The situation is getting tense at the club because some big-name players might be loaned to other clubs to make way for new signings. Now Makonese is trying his luck and so are Itayi Gwandu, Munyaradzi Diya and Maxwell Nyamupanedengu. By the weekend, I am sure we will know who gets signed,” the sources revealed.
Gwandu was under the tutelage of Gumbo at Caps United as well as Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the Botswana be-Mobile Premier League.
Makonese and Gwandu are trying their luck in a defence line-up which so far includes regulars like Daniel Vheremu, Khumbulani Banda, Zephaniah Ngodzo, Norman Togara and Lincoln Zvasiya.
Makonese, who only started one game for Pirates in his two years in Soweto, fell out of favour with the club over his personal life.
He frequently skipped training and was subsequently informed through an sms that his contract would not be renewed at the Buccaneers.
“Hi, got a message from the chairman to release you and hand you your clearance,” read a text message to Makonese from a senior Pirates official.
Another player at Platinum, Simon Njeleza, has also requested to be released and is set to join Bulawayo giants Highlanders.
