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NewsDay

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Sweswe lauds Amidu signing

Sport
Warriors and Kaizer Chiefs defender Thomas Sweswe is excited about linking with fellow countryman, Brian Abbas Amidu, after the former Black Mambas man penned a three-year deal at Amakhosi last week. Sweswe believes the former Under-23 international will get necessary exposure at the team to enable him to move to Europe like his former teammate […]

Warriors and Kaizer Chiefs defender Thomas Sweswe is excited about linking with fellow countryman, Brian Abbas Amidu, after the former Black Mambas man penned a three-year deal at Amakhosi last week.

Sweswe believes the former Under-23 international will get necessary exposure at the team to enable him to move to Europe like his former teammate Knowledge Musona, who now plays for Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga.

“It was a big signing for Chiefs. With what I saw him doing in training he is going to be an asset for us and he is still young,” Sweswe said.

He added: “He is always listening. I think he came to a good team because facilities and everything is professional. He wants to go and play in Europe and I see Chiefs giving the youngster the platform to excel and follow Knowledge. I’m happy to have him around.”

Amidu, who also had trials at Ajax Cape Town, becomes the sixth Zimbabwean at the club after veteran Tinashe Nengomasha, Sweswe, Lincoln Zvasiya, Willard Katsande and Jimmy Jambo – all national team players.

Nengomasha holds a South African resident permit, opening space for one more foreigner which has been filled by Amidu.

The club has always enjoyed a good and successful relationship with Zimbabwean players since the days of Ebson “Sugar” Muguyo, Rabson Muchichwa, the late Cleopas Dlodlo and Luke Jukulile Petros.

Zimbabwe internationals Onismor Bhasera and Musona have also had successful stints with the Soweto giants before moving to England and Germany respectively.

Chiefs signed former FC Platinum defender Zvasiya before prizing away Warriors midfielder Katsande from Ajax Cape Town and the pair is beginning to establish itself in the Amakhosi line-up.

The former champions now have the largest contingent of Zimbabweans after Mamelodi Sundowns, who have two former Warriors captains Esrom Nyandoro and Method Mwanjali, Simba Sithole, Nyasha Mushekwi and Lionel Mtizwa.

AmaZulu follow next with three in goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini, Carlington Nyadombo and former Footballer of the Year Ramson Zhuwawo.

Zimbabwean players have in the past attempted to use South Africa as the springboard to Europe but with little success.

Only three players – Musona, Bhasera and Benjani Mwaruwari have been successful.

Others have opted for Botswana, but former Railstars man Zimiseleni Moyo opted for Zambia in 2010 and won the league title at Zesco United and also played in Africa last year.

He has attracted interest from South African Absa Premiership sides.