BY FORTUNE MBELE
SOUTH African Premiership side Maritzburg United are working on re-signing Warriors striker Evans Rusike after he was released by SuperSport United.
Since being axed by SuperSport, Rusike (31) has been linked with Sekhukhune United and AmaZulu, while Maritzburg have joined the fray.
On Monday, Maritzburg United chief executive officer Younis Kadodia told South African media that the coaching staff at the Team of Choice would “obviously” engage Rusike, who is a free agent.
“I think the coaching staff will obviously have discussions about him. I think if such a player is available, obviously a number of clubs will be interested,” Kadodia told kickoff.com.
“Obviously, for a player who performed at the level he did prior to leaving us, he’ll basically always have a soft spot for the club and the club for him.
“The idea obviously in football is to maintain good relations wherever you go, whether you are a player or coach because in the end, the industry is so small, you don’t want to burn bridges.”
However, some media outlets have reported that Rusike is unlikely to return to Maritzburg as the club is in a financial crisis.
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Kadodia has admitted it has not been easy for most clubs because of the COVID-19-induced lockdown.
“It is very difficult. COVID-19 has made it more difficult, and I think there have been high expectations from players and their agents about coming to join PSL teams,” he said.
Rusike started playing topflight football for Kiglon in 2010 and moved to Zimbabwe Saints and then to Hwange before breaking into the South African top league with Maritzburg United in 2014.
He then joined SuperSport United in 2018, but his career was marred by injuries and did not get enough game time at the club.
As a striker, he failed to get a goal in 21 appearances in the past season, forcing coach Kaitano Tembo to let go of his fellow countryman.
While at Maritzburg United from where he moved to Matsatsantsa, Rusike scored 20 goals in 74 matches.
If Rusike settles at Maritzburg United, he finds compatriot Clive Augusto, who also has not had a good time at the club, while at AmaZulu, there is Warriors’ midfielder Butholezwe Ncube and Talent Chawapiwa, whose future at the AmaZulu is also under spotlight.
At Sekhukhune, there is defender McClive Phiri and veteran goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini.
Rusike, Ncube and Phiri are part of the squad for the Cosafa Cup to be played in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, from July 6 to 18.
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