Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IN a drive to assemble a formidable side following their promotion to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, Scottland have entered into a deal with three Ngezi Platinum Stars players.
Goalkeeper Nelson Chadya, defender Gareth Madhake, and midfielder Marvelous Mukumba are on their way to the Scott Sakupwanya-owned side, barring late changes.
They look set to join 2024 Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona, his first runner-up Lynoth Chikuhwa, Tichaona Chipunza, and Peter Mudhuwa, among others who have been linked with the moneybags.
Khama Billiat is also linked with a move to Mabvuku while Soccer Star of the Year finalist Kingsley Mureremba has already penned a deal with the club.
There will be changes in the technical department as well, with reports that the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League coach of the year, Tonderai Ndiraya, has already put pen to paper.
As a result, former Dynamos assistant coach Joel Luphahla is heading to Shamva to take charge of Simba Bhora.
Norman Mapeza is also being linked to Scottland despite reports of Ndiraya having already signed a contract.
Zimpapers Sports is reliably informed that the three Ngezi Platinum Stars players have already engaged their current paymasters and have been granted permission to leave.
“The players approached the club and said they want to leave,” said a Ngezi Platinum insider.
“In as much as this is not what we wanted, it is within their rights to play for any club of choice as long as they do the formalities. So, we cannot bar them.
“They are our senior players, who featured in the starting line-up, so this comes as a huge blow to the club, but we wish them well at their new home.”
The new development has left the 2023 PSL champions “grounded,” hence they have to rebuild next season.
Although Ngezi are traditionally known for being among the busiest clubs on the transfer market, they have broken with tradition this time around.
According to the insider, they will be recalling all their players, who were away on loan.
Head Coach Takesure Chiragwi will also be looking to promote some of the Ngezi Developmental side players into the senior team.
This is meant for the club to reassemble a competitive squad at low cost.
Ngezi are currently in a financial quandary after former head coach Benjani Mwaruwari filed a substantial US$1.6 million lawsuit with FIFA, claiming unfair dismissal by the Mhondoro-based club.
They are also expected to pay Mwaruwaru’s assistant at the time, Bongani Mafu, a sum close to US$200 000 for unfair dismissal.
With platinum firms downsizing globally due to plummeting metal prices, the club finds itself in a fix.
“We will not be going shopping in the off season; it may be just one or two additions, but we are largely looking at promoting our juniors,” said the source.
“It will not be an easy task, but we have to do it anyway, and the boys will have to mature fast because they will be thrown into the deep end.”
In turn this has forced the platinum miners to reconsider their target for next season.
When Chiragwi was handed a three-year deal in 2022, part of the set conditions was for him to assemble a squad that would win the championship by 2025.
Although he delivered earlier, conditions for the championship in 2025 remained.
However, due to the latest developments, Chiragwi will be expected to finish the league in the top eight.
daniel chigunwe
