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Xolisani Gwesela

Ricky ZililoSenior Sports Reporter
STRIKERS are in demand and clubs will be jostling for potent forwards following the opening of the local football mid-season transfer window yesterday.The transfer window will close on July 31 with clubs expected to register players that they have secured.

“The second player transfer window will be open until July 31. Clubs should also be aware that the Fifa Transfer Matching System is in full operation and this will speedily resolve any player issues.

“The window is open for all leagues but we expect more movement in the topflight,” said the Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela.

Already, clubs like Bulawayo giants Highlanders, defending champions Dynamos, Hwange and FC Platinum have players that have sought greener pastures in South Africa and the DRC and are keen on replacing them.

The national team trio of Kudakwashe Mahachi, Peter “Rio” Moyo and Milton Ncube left Bosso to join South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Mpumalanga Black Aces and Ajax Cape Town respectively.

However, Mahachi proceeded to France for trials with AS Monaco.

Dynamos’ goalkeeper George Chigova moved to Supersport United with Hwange’s defence stalwart Eric Chipeta going to Chippa United while FC Platinum’s Ali Sadiki is on TP Mazembe’s books.

Highlanders’ coach Kelvin Kaindu said he would replace the trio and might add some players to beef up his squad during the mid-season window.

Bosso is in dire need of a natural right back if their championship aspirations are to be taken seriously as makeshift right back Simon Munawa’s defensive abilities have been exposed many times.

“As for additions, we will be losing three of our key players who are going to seek greener pastures and those are the areas that need immediate replacements but at this stage we cannot say who will be joining us as that depends on who is available,” Kaindu was quoted as saying.

Highlanders’ coach is keen on re-uniting with striker Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube who is at FC Platinum and plans are also underway to lure Caps United’s rightback Hardlife Zvirekwi. Ex-Bosso defender Hloniphani “Fa” Ndebele, who has been plying his trade in Swaziland, has also been training with the squad since last Tuesday with the hope of securing a contract.

Defending champions Dynamos have been looking forward to the opening of the window so that they register Bloemfontein Celtics reject Roderick Mutuma to ease their striking woes. Mutuma has been training with the club and long signed a contract with them.

How Mine want a gunman to complement the joint league’s top goal scorer Kuda Musharu with eight goals, same as Highlanders’ Charles Sibanda.

“I need two more strikers but so far so good, things seem to be going according to plan and I believe in the squad that I have,” said the miners coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube.

Hwange coach Nation Dube said, “We will definitely bring in some of our juniors and maybe two or so senior players that will add value to our strike force and goalkeeping areas. The senior players that we are targeting should be people who will add value to the team not just add numbers.”

Chicken Inn will register goalkeeper Pride Zireni with coach Joey Antipas saying he is yet to decide on who else to bring on board.

Agent Sawu, coach for the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League side Ntabazinduna, is also hunting for a striker and so is Zifa Northern Region Divison One Soccer League club Black Mambas who are under the guidance of Thulani Sibanda.