AMAZULU assistant coach Prince Matore has disclosed that they are interested in signing Caps United centre-back Stephen Makatuka in the January transfer window as the South African National First Division side bid for promotion into the elite league.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
NewsDaySport reported last month that the defender had become a subject of interest from the South African side and so far indications are that he will not be around as Caps United venture into the African safari for the first time since 2006.
Makatuka met with the Caps United chief executive Cuthbert Chitima on Tuesday as the Harare giants sought to persuade the player to stay on, but the two parties failed to reach common ground.
Sources close to the developments yesterday said Caps United even told the player they were prepared to increase his pay from the previous one after which the player said he would need to consult his family.
Chitima could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Matore, who is assistant to head coach Joey Antipas at AmaZulu, also confirmed they were in talks with Makatuka. Matore said his club were on the prowl for a centre-back and they had identified Makatuka as a potential candidate to fill that position.
“It’s true we are looking for defenders especially a centre-back and we have identified Makatuka as someone of the the calibre of defenders we want,” he said. “We had the misfortune of having nearly the whole of our defence getting injured and we believe Makatuka is a player who can fit in very well. But we have just recommended him to the team management so I am not aware of the progress made so far.”
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Caps United are desperate to retain most of their players ahead of the new campaign and have included Makatuka in their provisional squad to be submitted to the Confederation of African Football (Caf) before the December 31 deadline in the hope that he will sign a new deal.
Makatuka was instrumental for Caps United, helping them to Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) championship success, their first in more than a decade.
His current deal with Caps United runs out on December 31. Caps United are also battling to tie down midfielders Tafadzwa Rusike and Abbas Amidu to new deals, as their current contracts also run out at the end of this month. Reigning PSL top goalscorer Leonard Tsipa will also have his contract expiring this month.
The club hierarchy, however, maintain they will retain all their players.
The Zimbabwean champions are also close to sealing deals with former captain Tapiwa Khumbuyani from How Mine, Marlvin Gaki (Triangle) and Xolisani Ncube (Chapungu).
