Defender Byron Madzokere has become the latest player to leave Gunners Football Club after joining newly-promoted South African Premier Soccer League side Chippa United yesterday.
The 21-year-old penned a three-year deal with the Manqoba Mngqithi-coached Cape Town side following a three-week trial stint.
Madzokere followed other key players through the Gunners exit door during the mid-season transfer window after Cliff Sekete’s move to Dynamos, as well as Leonard Fiyado and Hardlife Zvirekwi’s capture by Caps United.
Gunners’ commercial director Stanley Makombe confirmed the latest development and played down fears the players’ departure would weaken the 2009 league champions.
“Saying that we have lost these players is an inappropriate expression because the scope of our business at Gunners is to develop and create opportunities for our players to play abroad,” said Makombe.
“If a player gets an opportunity, even to play (with another club) locally, we will not stand in his way. That is why we let Cliff, Fiyado and Zvirekwi join local teams.
“Of course we might want to retain certain players, but our main business is opening chances abroad for them.”
Makombe could not be drawn to reveal the financial aspects of the Madzokere deal.
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Gunners could also lose Victor Kamhuka, who has reportedly attracted the interest of various South African clubs.
Of late Gunners have turned “commercial” selling Ali Sadiki, Mitchelle Katsvairo and Qadr Amini to FC Platinum, Sekete and George Chigova to Dynamos and Fiyado and Zvirekwi to Caps United. Tafadzwa Dube and Norman Togara, both at Platinum, are also former Gunners players.
