Sunday News (Zimbabwe)

Makonese dumps Shabanie FC

- Mehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter

FORMER Warriors internatio­nal defender, Zvenyika Makonese, has all but dumped Shabanie Mine for big following MTN Premier League of Swaziland outfi outfit t Manzini Wanderers after impressing during the two -day trials last week.

Makonese, a key fi figuregure in the Chinda Boys’ Central Soccer League championsh­ip triumph earning himself as the region’s third best player behind Ricky Bota and Collin Moyo, arrived in Swaziland early last week before featuring in at least two prac practiceti ce matches.

A decision to sign him was immediatel­y reached on Thursday and as the rest of the team was breaking for the festive break, Makonese was headed back to Zvishavane on Friday morning to collect his clearance.cleara

“I am set to join Manzini Wanderers as I speak. I am leaving tomorrow morni morning (Friday morning) for the clearance. I don’t foresee any problem as we had an agreement with Shabanie.Shaban All things possible I should be back next week (this( week),” the 39-yearold old age defying defender said on Thursday night.

Wanderers technical dire director, Julius Chakupewa confirmed they had been impressedi­m with Makonese who is set to replace outboun outbound Frank Mukarati.

“Zvenyika has been with us for two days and he still has a lot to offeroff er with hishi experience and he took no time to impress us. He w will be joining us once the paperwork is done,” said Ch Chakupewa. At Wanderers he will be joiningjoi Tafadzwa Jaravanhi. The mid- mid-season season transfer windoww period opens on 5 January and will run for a month with Wanderers also looking for a goalkeeper from Zimbabwe.

Makonese born on 7 July 1977 in Chiredzi cut his elite soccer career at Shaban Shabanie Mine. He joined Cape Town- Town-based based Santos in 2004 from Zimbabwean club Shabanie Mine. He played as a defender and was selected for the 2006 African Cup of Nations.

It was reported that he w was set to join Stoke City at the end of the 2006–07 season after impressing in a trial at the club, despitedes­p interest from Wigan Athletic and several FrenchF clubs. However, no such move tran transpired. He also had an unsuccessf­ul tri trial at Ligue 1 side Stade Rennes.

In Augu August 2011 Makonese marked his return to the domestic Premiershi­p when he signed a deal to join ShabanieSh­ab Mine.

He was s signed by South African Black LeopardsLe­op but was unable to play in the PSL because of lack of documents b between December 2011 and March 2012.20

He has also turned out for Orlando Pirates.

 ??  ?? Zvenyika Makonese
Zvenyika Makonese

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