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Mushekwi still on the sidelines

Sport
Nyasha Mushekwi could end the football season without kicking a ball, a development which could have ramifications on the Warriors’ 2017 Afcon finals bid

ZIMBABWE international striker Nyasha Mushekwi could end the football season without kicking a ball, a development which could have ramifications on the Warriors’ bid for a place at the 2017 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals.

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

Fotboll, Allsvenskan, Häcken - Djurgården

The big forward is a key member of the Warriors and had a good show in his last game, which ended in a 1-1 draw against Guinea in an Afcon qualifier in Harare.

According to the player’s agent, Ralph Nkomo South African Premiership club Sundowns still hold the keys for the player’s next move, as he still has a contract that runs until the end of May.

“The position on Mushekwi is he still has a contract with Mamelodi Sundowns until May next year. We will engage them on his next move,” he said.

Mushekwi had been loaned to Swedish club Djurgardens, where he attracted rave reviews with his prolific goal-scoring form, which saw him leading the scoring charts at one point.

He eventually signed off with his 12th goal in that league and was the third top goalscorer, when he left in August, having joined in March this year.

There was reported interest in him from clubs in top leagues including English Premiership side Leicester City as well as Bundesliga side Harmburg, among others.

There was also reported interest from Egyptian club Zamalek, Serbia and a pair of Chinese clubs. Nothing came out of all that and having reignited his playing career following a long injury layoff, he may have to sit out until mid-next year.

Djurgardens too had shown interest, but were understood to have been put off by Sundowns’ asking price of R15 million for the player’s transfer. Djurgårdens director Bosse Andersson had said they had put forward a proposal to Sundowns and expressed confidence the package was reasonable and would be accepted as long as no other club came up with a bigger offer.

“I am convinced that Nyasha has not played his final game for Djurgårdens,” Anderson said after Mushekwi played his last league match. “The only question is whether it is in 2015. I am also more hopeful now than before that Nyasha will return in the autumn.”