ABSA Premiership side Bidvest Wits sang Denver Mukamba’s praises after he passed his medicals yesterday and new coach Clive Barker will assess him under a game situation before he can sign a contract.
REPORT BY HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER
Mukamba had medicals at the Braamfontein-based club on Thursday afternoon and received his test results yesterday and indications are that the former Kiglon and Dynamos winger had passed the examination.
However, Mukamba could not immediately put pen to paper as Barker, who replaced fired Antonio Lopez early this month, said he will only make the final decision after watching the player in a competitive match.
Wits are set to participate in a four team tournament on January 26 involving SuperSport, Moroka Swallows and Platinum Stars.
The Clever Boys, as Wits are affectionately known by their supporters, will then play Golden Arrows in another friendly match five days later.
Wits general manager George Mogotsi yesterday described Mukamba as an “exceptional player” and put him on the same brackets with the legendary Dynamos striker George Shaya – giving the clearest indication that Mukamba has made the grade.
“I cannot reveal the results of his tests because this is a confidential issue, but what I can say is everything went well,” Mogotsi told NewsDay Sport yesterday.
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“Denver is an exceptional player, one of the best players I have seen from Zimbabwe. He can do unbelievable things on the pitch, he is trouble. He reminds me of George Shaya from the old days of Rhodesia.
“I watched Shaya when Dynamos played Moroka Swallows during the Rhodesia era, that guy was trouble. The same with Denver, he is a very small boy, but is trouble. He is very gifted and a quality player.”
Mogotsi added: “The process has been delayed because of the change of coaches. Denver has been training with us and he is impressing every day, but Barker has said he wants to assess him in a game situation. This four-team tournament will give him a chance to prove himself. He is at a good club, with nice people and he is happy here.”
If the deal goes through as expected, Mukamba will join compatriots Thomas Sweswe and Tinashe Nengomasha and Under 16 coach Charles Yohane.
Meanwhile, Zambian international and Hwange defender Aaron Katebe has made his intentions clear and is looking for a life away from the Colliery, while teammate Francesco Zvikumbawire has joined Dynamos on loan.
The highly rated 20-year-old Katebe is a target for Dynamos who have already registered him in their final 26-member Caf Champions League squad that was submitted to Caf yesterday.
An unnamed team from his native country is also understood to be keeping tabs on Katebe but the talented defender yesterday opened up to NewsDay Sport and revealed that his future lies with Dynamos.
“I have received very good offers in the past few days from some local teams and one team from Zambia but I want to play for a big team. If given an opportunity to choose, I will join Dynamos. They are a very big team in this country and on the continent. They are also playing in the Champions League and playing for them will give me an opportunity to be noticed by other big teams out there,” said Katebe.
Hwange claims that they are still contracted to Katebe, but the player is singing a different tune.
“As far as I’m concerned the contract with Hwange expired last December, but they are still insisting that it’s valid. I’m waiting for my manager who should arrive in the country today (yesterday) so that we look into this issue.”
Katebe’s manager Gabriel Kaunda was expected to touch down in Harare yesterday evening while Katebe is expected in the capital this morning.
