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Edmore Chirambadare

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter—
EDMORE Chirambadare and Mitchelle Katsvairo completed their moves to South African Premiership giants Kaizer Chiefs yesterday from champions, Chicken Inn, penning three-year deals with the Soweto club. Chirambadare, a Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year finalist, and Katsvairo were part of eight new signings unveiled by Chiefs at a press conference held at their Naturena base in Johannesburg yesterday.

The Zimbabwean duo will link-up with national team captain Willard Katsande at Chiefs, ending weeks of speculation as to whether they would move or stay at Chicken Inn.

Some of the players unveiled alongside the former Chicken Inn pair include ex-Mamelodi Sundowns captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele‚ midfielders Enocent Mkhabela and Sibusiso Khumalo‚ Zambian striker Lewis Macha‚ Keagan Buchanan from Bloemfontein Celtic and young striker Emmanuel Letlotlo.

Chirambadare and Katsvairo’s agent Gibson Mahachi said his clients are ready for the new challenge and revealed that the next player to leave the champions is defensive midfielder Danny Phiri.

“Mitchy (Katsvairo) and Eddie (Chirambadare) are excited about their move and I have no doubt that they will improve their game at Chiefs since they are hard workers. With the South African window opening soon, I’m expecting a hectic week. As it is, Dynamos goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva is attending trials at Maritzburg United. I’m also working round the clock to make sure we conclude Phiri’s move to Golden Arrows,” said Mahachi.

“All things being equal, Phiri should be leaving before the end of the week. I’m also waiting for clubs in South Africa to regroup next week so that I know which players to send,” Mahachi said. If Phiri completes his move to the Durban-side, he is likely to reunite with winger Kuda Mahachi, who was on-loan from Mamelodi Sundowns and is keen on staying at the KwaZulu Natal side.

The Harare-based agent Mahachi, who declined to reveal the details of Chirambadare and Katsvairo’s deal to Chiefs, is also hoping his clients Tafadzwa Kutinyu and Moses Demera, who attended trials at Golden Arrows, get offers in South Africa.

It is believed that Chicken Inn got around $150,000 for Katsvairo and Chirambadare. Chicken Inn last week signed midfielders Darryl Nyandoro and Chris Samakweri as replacements for players that might leave the champions for greener pastures.

There are also indications that central defender Lawrence Mhlanga, right-back Passmore Bernard and goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze are on their way to reuniting with former coach Joey Antipas at Durban club Amazulu. Chicken Inn secretary Tawengwa Hara confirmed that they will be doing lots of business during the coming transfer window.

“We wish Chirambadare and Katsvairo the best at Kaizer Chiefs and now our focus is on potential deals coming. At Chicken Inn, we always believe in giving talented players an opportunity to market themselves just like what these boys have done. It is highly likely that a number of players could leave us during this window in search of greener pastures,” Hara said.