Malajila linked with Chiefs move
JOHANNESBURG. — Zimbabwe international forward Cuthbert Malajila and his Liberian counterpart Anthony Laffor are the latest players who have been linked with moves from Mamelodi Sundowns to Kaizer Chiefs.
The Amakhosi have already completed the signing of another Zimbabwean, Khama Billiat, from the Pretoria giants.
And, now, it appears like they have targeted Malajila and Laffor.
Chiefs’ first league game next season is against Sundowns.
Kaizer Chiefs manager Bobby Motaung says they are not done in the transfer market.
Amakhosi have so far announced the signings of Billiat, Lehlohonolo Mirwa, Virgil Vries and Andriamirado “Dux” Andrianarimanana.
“Obviously we have been planning for some time on how to reinforce the squad. That’s part of the process. We are not done yet. Two or three more players will be announced in a few days’ time.”
Amakhosi have parted ways with Keagan Buchanan, Edmore Chirambadare, Tsepo Masilela, Sibusiso Khumalo and William Twala, while Brilliant Khuzwayo decided to move on and join Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates.
“It’s still a process, but we are obviously not going to embark on a shopping spree,’’ said Motaung.
“As you know we are still looking at the issue of the coach, so that when the coach comes he can work with a limited (squad).
“We still have time to introduce players if we need to beef up again in the next window. As you know the Africa tournament starts only next year, so we need to have a balance of where we are reinforcing at the moment in terms of needs and obviously looking at the challenges going forward.”
Meanwhile, George Chigova, Walter Musona, Dominic Chungwa and Elvis Chipezeze will be under the guidance of a new coach at Polokwane City, Jozef Vukusic, who says he knows the kind of players he is going to work with in the coming season.
The Slovakian was appointed as City coach yesterday, replacing Bernard Molekwa, who is now going to be an assistant coach.
Vukusic says he is excited to work with the players he has been given as he aims to improve the team. Rise and Shine finished in 12th place last season and will be looking to improve in the coming season.
“I like the challenge. It is interesting to come to South Africa from Europe to coach these kind of players,” Vukusic told the media following his unveiling.
“I know that African players have a lot of potential but there is a lot of space to improve them. I take this this opportunity like my role, my challenge to progress the players and improve them and progress the whole club.
“We have our objectives to work for the long term and to do the project for the whole club from the first team to the development.”
Vukusic previously coached in South Africa during his time with FC Cape Town in the National First Division from 2010 to 2012.
“When I heard that there is a possibility to coach here, I checked the team. I watched some videos. I know the players they are very good.
“Now we will get new players, we will need to put everything together.
“I know the results from last season and results from season before. I would think how I better the results once I start working with the players. What I want is the players to play on their potential.
“I’m sure that if they can achieve that, they will have good results.” —Kick-Off. FOUR-TIME Copa Coca-Cola champions Hippo Valley High School yesterday revisited their glory days when they were one of the schools that dominated the football tournament as they received a donation of textbooks from the sponsors.
They first won the tournament in 1990 when they beat Prince Edward 1-0 in the final.
They were the hosts for that edition.
They went on to defend their title in 1991.
It was the same script in 1996 and 1997 when they had back-toback wins.
And, yesterday, they were honoured for their participation and excelling in the tournament that is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Delta Beverages regional sales manager Southern Region, Thembiso Muzvagwa, said this was part of the 30th anniversary celebrations.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we have found it prudent to pay a courtesy call to schools that have excelled in this tournament for a record four times,’’ said Muzvagwa.
“Two weeks ago we were at Mzilikazi High School, the winners of the inaugural Copa Coca-Cola tournament.
“Today we are here at Hippo Valley High School the Copa Coca-Cola champions in 1990, 1991, 1996 and 1997.
“This school has done very well in producing football stars such as Harlington Shereni.
“As we look back and reflect in how Copa Coca-Cola came into being, we cannot help, but cherish the history of a tournament that started in Zimbabwe, as a way of attempting to discover and nurture soccer at grassroots level.
“Since then, the tournament has grown into a global tournament.’’
He said they wanted to see pupils excelling.
“As we celebrate the Copa CocaCola at 30, we do recognise schools that have done well in the tournament over the years and we are here today to celebrate with one such school,’’ he said.
“We have brought a token of appreciation in the form of textbooks to let you know that your participation in growing Copa Coca-Cola is appreciated.
“We do understand that education and sports work together.
“We want to see pupils excelling in both academic and sports. That is why we chose to give you a token of text books which we believe will play a part in the lives of the pupils.’’
The donation comes at a time when schools from across the country are preparing for the provincial finals.
And Hippo Valley province will be among the schools that will battle it out at Pamushana High School for the ticket to the national finals next month in Zvishavane.
Their coach, Colonel Dube, said they are ready for the provincial finals tomorrow.
“We are looking forward to this year’s edition. We have done well in our zonal and district games and we are now ready for the provincial finals.
“We feel motivated this time around, it’s an honour to be visited by Copa Coca-Cola and I believe we can do it once again this time around.
“We have assembled quite a strong team and I am confident we can go all the way this time around,” Dube said.
The sponsors also paraded the Copa Coca-Cola trophies amid a wave of celebrations by the pupils.
Hippo Valley headmaster, Timitia Chikomo, said the donation will make a difference for the school.
“For us it is a great donation and we are extremely happy to have been considered and recognised as one of the powerhouses.
“And we are promising that come this year we have to win this trophy.
“The books, in this age of the new updated curriculum, are going to go a long way in alleviating the problem of shortages and we are going to put them to good use and also we thank and appreciate that we are going to improve our results,” said Chikomo.
Chiredzi district schools inspector Shadreck Nyabanga, representing guest of honour, Masvingo provincial education director, Zedious Chitiga, said they are grateful to the sponsors for their contribution in the schools system.