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Charlton Mashumba

JOHANNESBURG – Zimbabwean striker Charlton Mashumba has departed South Africa’s newly-promoted Absa Premiership club Highlands park in search of greener pastures in Algeria.

Mashumba is said to have a deal with Algerian Ligue 1 side USM Alger, after spending the past two seasons at the Lions of the North.

The 25-year-old, who scored just one goal for Owen Da Gama’s side last season, is believed to have jetted into Algiers last week to join his new side ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.

The Zimbabwean international was spotted in the club’s gear for the first time since the team reported for pre-season on Sunday.

Mashumba previously turned out for NFD outfit Jomo Cosmos, where he rose to prominence after netting 17 goals to help the side earn promotion to the PSL  in 2014/15.

USMA have been bolstering their squad in an effort to reclaim the Ligue 1 title, which they last won in 2015/16, as well as challenge for the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup, in which they are currently top of Group D.

The Algerian club on Monday also confirmed the arrival of new French coach Thierry Froger.

The Frenchman was in charge of Congolese giants TP Mazembe when they were eliminated from the CAF Champions League by CAPS United last year.

The two teams drew 1-1 in Lubumbashi before the Green Machine produced a superb defensive show, backed by thousands of local fans, to repel the Congolese in a goalless draw at the National Sports Stadium.

TP Mazembe owner, Moise Katumbi, who had called to promise each of his players a brand new Mercedes Benz should they find a way past the Green Machine, reacted by firing Froger just after that elimination.

The five-time African champions dropped into the CAF Confederation Cup and went on to win the tournament.

CAPS United proceeded into the group stages of the Champions League and beat USM Alger in Harare before falling to a 0-4 defeat at the hands of the Algerians in Algeria – Sports Reporter/Kick-Off