Zimpapers Logo

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
NATIONAL team and Chicken Inn FC central defender Teenage Hadebe is set to complete his move to South African giants, Kaizer Chiefs, today with the Gamecocks saying the deal is almost done.

The towering defender, who can also play at left-back, was left out of match day squad that drew 1-1 with FC Platinum on Saturday, a clear indication that the champions are preparing for life without Hadebe.

Chicken Inn chairman Lifa Ncube and Hadebe’s agent Gibson Mahachi told Chronicle Sport last night that they expected the deal to be wrapped up today.

“By the time he returns from the national team, Hadebe will most certainly be a Kaizer Chiefs player. Negotiations are at an advanced stage and we should be closing the deal anytime tomorrow (today). He is certainly going to beat South Africa’s transfer window deadline which closes on Wednesday,” said Ncube.

Hadebe is with the Warriors preparing for the dead-rubber Total Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against out-of-contention Guinea at Stade du 28 Septembre in Conakry on Sunday.

The former Bantu Rovers and Highlanders’ defender will become the fourth player to leave Chicken Inn for greener pastures within three months.

He will join countrymen Willard Katsande, Mitchelle Katsvairo and Edmore Chirambadare at the South African glamour side.

Katsvairo and Chirambadare completed their moves to Chiefs in June, each signing three-year deals. Former skipper and midfielder Danny Phiri moved to Durban side Golden Arrows.

According to South African media reports, Hadebe, who uses his height to great effect on set-pieces, will come in to complement their central defence that has the injured Erick Mathoho, Daniel Cardoso, Lorenzo Gordinho and Ramahlwe Mphahlele as well as transfer-listed Siyanda Xulu. — @ZililoR