The first round match of the Mbada Diamonds Cup between Dynamos and Quelaton at Rufaro last Sunday has given birth to a new star.
Report by Fortune Mbele Quelaton midfielder Mhleli Sibanda — arguably the man-of-the-match in his team’s 4-2 loss on penalties — could be donning the blue and white jersey of Dynamos next season if the Premier Soccer League defending champions have their way. Or he could be in the green and white Caps United and FC Platinum regalia or, worse still, the red and black of Motor Action. He is a man in demand after an exhilarating performance that left even diehard Dynamos fans in awe. Troubled Quelaton played one of their best matches of the season so far after they held DeMbare to a 1-1 draw in regulation time in the first round of the Mbada Diamonds Cup in Harare before they were booted out 4-2 in a penalty shootout. Sibanda, who is 20, scored penalty number two for the Bulawayo side, which joined top-flight football this year and looks set to be returning to Division One next year. An impeccable source close to the player yesterday told NewsDay Sport that the attacking linkman was approached by Dynamos chairman Keni Mubaiwa immediately after the match and asked to join the blue and white machine next season. The source said Sibanda, who can also play as a striker, has also been the target of FC Platinum and caretaker coach Tendai Chikuni has told the player not to renew his contract with Quelaton as they are interested in securing his services next year. Another club that has shown interest in Sibanda is Motor Action and the source said the player had been approached by the Mighty Bulls director Eric Rosen, with Caps United having also put their eyes on the pint-sized midfielder. “After the game on Sunday, the Dynamos chairman asked around about the boy and is of the opinion that he joins his club next year. He had a wonderful game on Sunday. “Actually, Dynamos are not the only club that want him as Chikuni (FC Platinum coach) has asked the boy not to renew his contract with Quelaton for next year. Rosen and Caps United are also interested in the young player,” the source said. Sibanda yesterday, however, said he was yet to hear if there was anything from Dynamos, but confirmed that FC Platinum had approached him. “I don’t know anything about Dynamos, but it is true that FC Platinum have approached me for next year. They have asked that I don’t sign for any other club next year,” Sibanda said. Sibanda started playing his football with Highlanders juniors for the Under-13s in 2004-05 and left to join Otrick, a club that he played for the juniors as well up to the Zifa Bulawayo Province Division Two, when he was doing Form One. He moved to another Division Two side Sparrows in 2006-07 before he joined Quelaton in 2008, a club that he has been with from Division One until they joined the Premiership this year. Should he join Dynamos, he would become the fifth player to cross the divide from Highlanders after Makwinji Soma Phiri, Lovemore Ncube, Lenny Gwata and Sifiso Nketha.
