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Peter Rio Moyo

WARRIORS’ midfielder Peter “Rio” Moyo’s dream move to Mpumalanga Black Aces has collapsed, Chronicle Sport can reveal.
According to sources close to the player and Mpumalanga Black Aces, the former Highlanders star whose move to South Africa was facilitated by his parent club Luveve Big XI failed to impress coach Clive Barker during his month-long stay.

Amazayoni struck a deal with Moyo on May 30 before he reported for pre-season camp on June 23.

This publication has it on good authority that the dreadlocked midfielder’s handlers are trying to get the player a team in the Castle Lager Premiership with Highlanders being their first choice.

What however, seems to stand on the way is the sour dealings that the player had with the Bulawayo giants.

Bosso were not impressed by Moyo’s standard of play since the Chan tournament when he was said to have impressed Mpumalanga Black Aces.

“Clive Barker told Rio that he is not in his plans for the season. Mpumalanga Black Aces had moved quickly to offer him a contract after seeing him play in the Chan competition but now the coach seems to have other other plans. He will be returning home and is already club hunting though his desire is to re-join Highlanders,” said the source.

Moyo was one of the players that Highlanders were keen to sign at the end of last season but the midfielder refused to enter into a deal with the Bulawayo  giants going into the Chan finals on  advice of his handlers who wanted to maximise on his transfer to Mpumalanga Black Aces.

With only a day left before the window closes, it remains to be seen which local club will sign on the pint-sized midfielder whose play at Highlanders during his last months and last year, was not as good as he was in 2012.

Bosso are reluctant to sign the player as they are reportedly after the signature of attacking midfielder Pasca Manhanga of Triangle and if they fail to land the Lowveld player, then they might consider Moyo who stands accused of denying the club its share by refusing to sign a deal after two and half years with the club.

Contacted for comment yesterday, Highlanders’ chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede could neither confirm nor deny that Moyo’s handlers have asked Bosso to bail out the player who they got from Quelaton at the beginning of 2012 season.

“As for him returning to us I’m not too sure because from what I have been made to know he (Moyo) did not impress the coach. I can’t comment much about the player because he was not ours when he left as he was on loan to us where we gave him game time.

“However, as Bosso we have an open door policy but he will have to negotiate  his re-entry that is if he is to come and it will also depend on whether the coaches still have him in their plans. But find out from his camp (Luveve Big XI),” said Gumede.

Having failed to benefit from the Moyo and Milton Ncube’s moves to Mpumalanga Black Aces and Ajax Cape Town, Bosso might want to do away with second parties whenever dealing with player signings to avoid losing out.

Meanwhile, Highlanders’ striker Cleopas “Balotelli” Dube who has been frustrated by being kept on the bench, left the country yesterday afternoon for a week-long trial stint at South African First Division side Witbank Spurs.

Dube was a second half substitute during Highlanders’ goalless draw with Bantu Rovers, replacing out of sorts Ozias Zibande.

Highlanders are hoping that just like defender Khumbulani Banda who was never given Premiership gametime but made it at South African Premiership side Maritzburg United, Dube will make the grade at Witbank Spurs.

“Highlanders is a big brand as it provides a stage for one to showcase talent.  Our philosophy is clear, if we sign players and they want to move for greener pastures we let them go and it is our hope that  Cleopas will do well at Witbank Spurs,” said Gumede.

The veteran administrator announced the signing of former Tripple B defender Webster Chingozha who becomes the third mid-season signing for Bosso after attacking midfielders Tapiwa Dephistara and King Nadolo.