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Kudakwashe
Mahachi

Lovemore Dube Sports Editor
HIGHLANDERS have completed the sensational capture of Kudakwashe Mahachi on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns.
The winger, who starred for Zimbabwe as they reached the semi-finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) before bowing out to Libya on Wednesday, joined Sundowns this week from Chicken Inn.
But the Brazilians immediately sent him out on loan to Highlanders for an initial period of six months.

Sundowns were forced to loan Mahachi because they have exhausted their quota of foreign players. They already have Khama Billiat and Cuthbert  Malajila on their books.

Champions Dynamos had been courting Sundowns to loan them Mahachi, but Highlanders legend Peter Ndlovu — now the team manager of the South African club —weighed heavily in taking the 21-year-old starlet to his boyhood club.

Highlanders will unveil Mahachi next week — a great piece of business by the club which lost attacking midfielder Masimba Mambare to Dynamos and striker Njabulo Ncube to FC Platinum.

Yesterday, Mahachi — who played in the Highlanders juniors before being snapped up by Bantu Rovers — had changed his Facebook profile. Under ‘Work’, his profile now states: ‘Highlanders’.

Highlanders coach, Kelvin Kaindu, said last night: “The executive has worked hard in creating healthy relationships with other clubs. I hope it will come true that Mahachi comes to us.”

Club chairman Peter Dube would not confirm Mahachi’s imminent arrival, with club sources indicating that there was still some paperwork to push through.

“We hope to make our final list of players for the season known by next week. We will unveil our players once the technical team has done its assessment,” Dube said.

“About Mahachi, there is nothing official. We’ve been engaged with Sundowns from the time they played us. We’ve good relations, but as for now I can’t say anything.”

Chronicle Sports understands Peter Ndlovu, a Highlanders legend, convinced Sundowns to loan the player to his home-town club and not to bitter rivals, Dynamos.

A source said: “Peter knows just how much of a lift this will give Highlanders after the big-name departures. He cares a lot about the club.”