BY TERRY MADYAUTA
MANICA Diamonds football club chairman Masimba Chihowa says they are ready to welcome Last Jesi (26) back in their ranks if he considers returning to the Premier Soccer League after Al Hilal terminated his contract.
The dreadlocked midfielder signed a two-year contract with the Sudanese giants in September last year following his scintillating performances in the African safari while on loan at FC Platinum.
His stay at the ambitious side was, however, cut short after the club went on a purge of foreign players.
This follows the club’s poor performance in the current Confederation of African Football Champions League campaign, where they failed to go beyond the group stages.
However, Manica Diamonds, who played an immense role in Jesi’s rise to stardom, are willing to lure him back should he consider a return to the local topflight.
“We have heard and read about the news that his contract was cancelled. We know it’s purely administrative. It’s not about his performance as an individual.
“He (Jesi) is a good player and it’s unfortunate that foreign-based players have been affected by the decisions being made by the club,” Chihowa said.
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“So far, he is not yet in the country, and am sure they might be negotiating about his exit packages. So we are waiting to hear from him.
“When he comes home (Mutare), we are ready to welcome him back home. We have always been his home and we will remain his home after all.
“When he left, he obviously left a void and it would be great to have him back at the club, with football coming to full swing very soon.”
Meanwhile, Dynamos have also been reported to be interested in pinning down Jesi, but Chihowa expects Manica Diamonds to be his first choice destination.
FC Platinum have been mum on whether they want the player back upon his return.
“This (Manica Diamonds) is his home. He had a peaceful departure and we have been in constant communication with him since he moved to Sudan,” Chihowa said.
“We will be glad to have him. Since this is also his home, it’s his first choice. We know it will not take him long to get another good club, nevertheless we are ready to accommodate him as our player, our own son.”
- Follow Terry on Twitter @madyautatpm
