Highlanders top striker Graham Ncube and 2011 Footballer of the Year finalist has been targeted by the country’s representatives in the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup, Dynamos and Hwange respectively.
The Bulawayo giants have already lost skipper Gilbert Banda and Louis Matawu to FC Platinum — the team that snared Zephaniah and Joel Ngodzo, Brighton Dube and Mernard Mupera from them last season.
Caps United, whose assistant coach is former Highlanders and Warriors winger Joel Luphahla, are also in the hunt for the player.
Ncube — by Highlanders standard this season — had a good term as he emerged Top Goalscorer of the Year with eight goals in the league and one in a cup game. He was expected to pick up some awards at the club’s end of season function last night.
He confirmed to NewsDay Sport yesterday the three teams were after his services next season as his contract with Highlanders expires on December 31.
“I have been approached by Caps United, Dynamos and Hwange.
“I want to stay with Highlanders and be loyal to the club I started playing for as a junior. However, unless I get a very good offer (from Bosso) which I cannot resist then I would move,” he said.
He said his decision would be based on what transpires when Highlanders hold its crucial elections next month.
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“I will plot my next move depending on what comes out of the Highlanders elections. I want to play under an executive that has players’ welfare at heart,” he said.
Highlanders players occasionally boycotted training during the season protesting over non-payment of winning bonuses.
Ncube is a former player of Premiership squad Mwana Africa. He had a stint with Caps United last season.
He also turned out for former Premiership side Bantu Rovers. Ncube scored the solitary goal that booted Shabanie Mine out of the BancABC Sup8r Cup at Barbourfields Stadium.
The goal guided Highlanders to the final of the cup game which they lost by 1-0 to Motor Action at Barbourfields Stadium.
Last month it was reported Highlanders were yet to negotiate with most of the senior players the majority were unwilling to return to the club for next year. They were said not to have received their signing-on fees.
Senior players like goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, Innocent Mapuranga, Rahman Kutsanzira and Eric Mudzingwa are some of the players who signed one-year contracts at the beginning of the season and were alleged not to have been paid their signing-on fees.
Highlanders had one of their worst seasons this year as they ended on position seven on the log standings and decided against renewing the contract of coach Mkhuphali Masuku. He has been replaced by the club’s former striker, Zambian Kevin Kaindu.
