CAPS United have finally landed highly-rated Malawian striker Ishmael Thindwa after finishing processing his papers which had been held up by the delay in getting an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) from his native national football association.
TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Caps United public relations manager Joyce Kapote confirmed the developments yesterday saying the player could make his debut as early as this Thursday when the Green Machine host Triangle in a league match at the National Sports Stadium.
“Thindwa has been cleared. He received his ITC on Friday and has been waiting for the processing of his work permit. All his papers are now in order and he should feature in the game against Triangle at the National Sports Stadium on Thursday. He is a very good player and we expect fans to come in their numbers and watch the young man in action,” said Kapote.
Zifa had said the player could not be cleared as he was not registered with their Transfer Matching System (TMS). They also said the player could also not be cleared outside the March 25 Fifa transfer window cut-off date.
However, Caps United announced yesterday all that had been sorted out and the player was now eligible to feature on the local scene.
The player himself confirmed the news to a Malawian newspaper yesterday. “I have been cleared. All the paper work is now in order. I hope to make my debut this weekend,” Thindwa told The Nation newspaper.
The striker is highly rated and played for Caps United during their tour of Malawi when they won an invitational four-team tournament.
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He scored the vital goal in the 1-0 win over Mighty Wanderers. Thindwa also scored for Caps United in the 1-1 draw with Silver Bullets in the semi-final of that invitational tournament.
Caps United team manager Luis Maio believes Thindwa will be one of the players to watch this season.
“He is a very good player and there is going to be a lot to write and talk about,” he said.
Caps United have had a slow start to the 2014 campaign after managing just one win in four matches.
They have lost two matches and drawn one and are placed a distant ninth position with five points while bitter city rivals Dynamos are on top with nine points.
And coach Taurai Mangwiro will be hoping Thindwa, who was the top goal scorer in the Malawian Super League last season while playing for Epac FC, will bring the bite that appears to have been lacking in his forward line.
This should be a welcome development for the Harare giants after they missed out on signing Kaizer Chiefs defender Lincoln Zvasiya on loan last month after failing to beat the March 25 Fifa cut-off date for the transfer of players.
Fixtures: Wednesday: Chiredzi FC v How Mine(Chishamiso Stadium), Harare City v Buffaloes (Rufaro), Shabanie v Bantu Rovers (Maglas), ZPC Kariba v FC Platinum (Gwanzura).
Thursday: Hwange v Black Rhinos (Colliery), Caps v Triangle (NSS), Chapungu v Dynamos (Ascot), Chicken Inn v Highlanders (Barbourfields).
