Owusu boost for Ngezi
NGEZI Platinum Stars have received a major boost ahead of their Castle Lager Premiership battle against Mutare City at Baobab this afternoon amid indications Ghanaian striker Steven Owusu could be drafted into the team after they finally secured his work permit.
Tonderai Ndiraya’s men are having a dream start to the league marathon.
Owusu was signed early in the season, but a nagging injury and some challenges in the processing of his work permit delayed his debut.
Team spokesperson, Chiedza Mupfumira, told The Herald yesterday the striker was ready for selection.
“Ngezi Platinum Stars is glad to inform the football fraternity that Ghanaian striker Steven Owusu, whom we acquired in the off-season and registered with the Premier Soccer League, is now ready to play a part for our team after we secured his documentation early last week.
“We have completed the work permit procedures, he has acquired all the relevant documentation and is expected on the field soon,” said Mupfumira.
The 25-year-old former Berekum Chelsea man won the Ghanaian Presidential Cup and the Football Association crown in a season he made a name for himself after a rare run that saw him scooping the man-of-thematch award in six successive matches in the Premiership.
Mupfumira also took time issues which may arise in the team.
‘’Previous statements by the club’s secretary-general Cloete Munjoma in the media have emphasised that as a team, we are satisfied with the 25 players that we have registered, therefore, exhausted our squad list. occasions and nothing was done about it until his work permit expired.
“He has had to seek a 30-day stay in the country on a normal visa so we are looking to find the best way for the parties to resolve this matter without it being dragged into a legal route.
“But what I can say at the moment is, the talks with Dynamos have progressed well.”
Epoupa’s manager Gilbert Sengwe said Epoupa will leave the country to pursue his career back in Cameroon after the player and the club failed to find common ground.
“I can confirm that the player will leave the country very soon. He handed over a letter of contract termination to the team some weeks ago, but Dynamos somehow are seemed reluctant to accept his position at the time.
“I am glad, the issue is now being handled by the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe. On that issue, FUZ are the right authority to talk to.
“Otherwise as the player’s manager, all I can say is Epoupa will return to Cameroon very soon as he is only left with very few days of his legal stay in the country,” said Sengwe.