DYNAMOS could have suffered their first transfer heartbreak as their top target Charles Sibanda is reportedly heading for the South African Absa Premiership, with reports suggesting the Highlanders midfielder is set to go for trials with Maritzburg United.
THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Sibanda reportedly tops the league champions’ shopping list in the January transfer window period, and the player has also publicly stated his desire to relocate to the capital when his contract with Highlanders expires at the end of the year.
The lanky midfielder, who topped the scoring charts in the just-ended season, is one of the three Zimbabwean players alongside his fellow teammate Mgcini Sibanda and unheralded Tinashe Makanda who would be leaving for Pretoria on December 19.
Although Maritzburg has denied that the trio is headed their way, sources who are privy to the deal said the players would be at the club for two weeks to try and impress coach Steve Komphela.
“They (Charles, Mgcini and Makanda are leaving for Maritzburg on December 19. Their tickets have already been bought and they have signed contracts with their representative for their travel arrangements. Charles and Mgcini could be there for longer than two weeks,” the source said.
The three are said to have signed the contracts on Friday after meeting with United’s chairperson Farook Kadodia and an unnamed club representative who were reportedly in the country.
Kadodia and his partner are said to have arrived on the same day for the negotiations.
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“The deals are going ahead and if all goes well, they could be signing for the club. Charles and Mgcini will remain probably because they have to go for medicals. Both players parents have been spoken to and they have agreed to the deal,” he said.
Highlanders chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede also confirmed that his players would be going for trials.
“There is an email to that effect, but I have not been able to open it. I can, however, confirm that they will be going for trials in South Africa,” he said. Maritzburg are home to two other Zimbabwean former Highlanders left-back Khumbulani Banda and striker Terrence Mandaza.
Sibanda’s contract with former league champions Highlanders is coming to an end on December 31 and there has been a lot of speculation about his next destination, although Dynamos are reportedly the frontrunners for his signature in the event that he fails to make the grade at The Team of Choice.
Sibanda, the winner of the Golden Boot Award in the just-ended season after scoring 12 goals, was also voted as one of the country’s finest 11 players.
He shares the Top Goal Scorer’s Award with How Mine’s Kuda Musharu.
Dynamos are looking to strengthen their squad as they look for their fifth straight league title next season.
With reported interests in their player Ronald Chitiyo who could also leave for South Africa in January, the Glamour Boys sees the former Motor Action and FC Platinum dreadlocked forward as a perfect replacement for the creative genius.
Other players who are said to be on Dynamos’ wish list include the Caps United duo of Kelvin Bulaji and Dominic Chungwa, Chicken Inn’s Danny Phiri and Dennis Dauda of ZPC Kariba.
But before they could even think of strengthening the players’ personnel, Dynamos would have to look for a coach first after the departure of Kalisto Pasuwa who led the team to a record four consecutive titles.
Pasuwa’s contract expires on December 31 and the former Dynamos midfielder has stated that he does not intent to renew. Dynamos have already started calling for applications to fill in the vacant post with former Highlanders Kelvin Kaindu heavily tipped to take over.
