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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
FC Platinum beat Highlanders, How Mine and Dynamos to the signature of Young Warriors midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku who they signed on a one-year loan from Bantu Rovers.Masuku completed his move to the Zvishavane side on Wednesday and trained with his new teammates yesterday.

Bosso and How Mine had at the beginning of the month formally written to Bantu Rovers while league champions Dynamos only indicated their interests through the media according to Tshintsha Guluva sources.

“Masuku is at FC Platinum and he will be there for just a season with an option of a continued stay there if he doesn’t get offers outside the country. There were a number of clubs interested in him but Bantu Rovers felt that he will develop better at FC Platinum and besides the Zvishavane club made a better offer than what other teams had tabled. The figure is in the region of $12,000,” said a source.

Masuku has been Bantu Rovers’ skipper since 2012 and has in the last two seasons been to Europe and South Africa in search of a lucrative professional deals. His last trial was at South Africa’s Supersport in December 2013.

The former national Under-20 captain’s globetrotting saw him try his luck in Belgium and Germany where he trained with Bundesliga club Borrusia VFL Monchengladbach and Cercle Brugge of Belgium.

Last season Masuku was one of the players at relegated Bantu Rovers who had a good year with the others being defender Teenage Hadebe, 17-year-old Denzel Khumalo and Bukhosi “Zakhu” Sibanda.

Hadebe just like Masuku has been on Highlanders’ radar for some time.

Bantu Rovers secretary Wilbert Sibanda could not be drawn into revealing details about Masuku’s transfer and referred all questions to FC Platinum.

“Talk to FC Platinum they are better positioned to comment on the matter. What I can just confirm is that Masuku left on Wednesday for FC Platinum and we wish him well,” said Sibanda.

FC Platinum spokesperson Chido Chizvondo said: “Masuku is going through assessment with the hope of signing. If anything materialises, we will let you know.”

FC Platinum are preparing for a second dance in the Orange Caf Confederations Cup since gaining promotion into the topflight in 2011.

Their first appearance was in 2012 and have been busy strengthening their side for the coming season.

However, Masuku will not be able to participate when they travel for their opening round against Kenya’s Sofapaka in a fortnight.

At FC Platinum Masuku re-unites with the Moyo twins Elvis and Kevin who he played with at Bantu Rovers and in the national Under-20 team.

Masuku will also be welcomed by Wisdom Mutasa, Walter Musona and FC Platinum’s 2015 acquisition Emmanuel Mandiranga who he has shared the dressing room with as Young Warriors.