Gidza unlikely to join Bosso

FORMER Highlanders captain and recently offloaded FC Platinum player, Gilbert "Gidza" Banda is unlikely to make a return to Emagumeni as he has been linked with Dynamos and CAPS United.

Impeccable sources close to the player said the move was improbable as Gidza has only been six months away from the club.

"Although Gidza could be making moves to return to the club those close to him feel it is improper that he does so as he has only been six months away from the club. He should go and play elsewhere. Maybe for the rest of the season before making a return to Highlanders," said the source.

Gidza, who commands great affection and respect among the hard-to-please Highlanders faithfuls, was recently off-loaded from Zvishavane-based FC Platinum after joining the miners at the beginning of the year. Banda (29) was rumoured to have been snubbed by Chicken Inn after FC Platinum officials tried to offload him to the club. Unconfirmed reports claim senior management at the team phoned a Chicken Inn official to offer the Bulawayo team the defender, but the offer was declined.

FC Platinum officials also reportedly approached Highlanders with an offer of the player before deciding to offload Banda alongside 10 other players.

Banda, who ditched Bosso to join then free spending FC Platinum last December, has had a tough time commanding a first team place at FC Platinum and his woes seem to have come to a head during the game against Highlanders, which the miners lost 3-1.

The central defender was given a torrid time by former teammate, Graham Ncube, during the game and was subsequently substituted.

He struggled to recover from the game and failed to secure a first team place at the club with competition coming from other defenders such as Daniel Vheremu, Qadr Amini, Simon Shoko, Zephaniah Ngodzo and Norman Togara.

FC Platinum raised eyebrows with its treatment of Banda, as many felt he was victimised after his poor performance against Highlanders as other players like Vheremu, who cost FC Platinum the Premiership last season with an own goal that virtually handed the title to Dynamos were still part of the team.

There is seemingly an alleged crusade to rid the team of Bulawayo-based players.

However, Highlanders chairman Peter Dube said they were ready to receive the player at the club.

"At the moment I cannot say whether he will be coming to the club or not as it depends on many factors. If the coach says there is need for him to come on board and we can afford him and Gilbert himself is willing to return then the door is wide open," said Dube.

"I received a call from him yesterday (Friday) with a request to meet me but I have been busy and as soon as I get the time I will meet him," he added.

Gidza said he was still searching for a team to play for and was open to moving to any team.

"I haven't secured any team. I am still searching. I can't restrict myself to playing for a Bulawayo team only. As a player I believe I can play anywhere," he said.

Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu refused to say whether they needed any players at the club preferring to only say he will work with what he had at the moment.

In other Castle Lager Premier Soccer League transfer rumours, former FC Platinum players, Brighton Dube who had been loaned to Chicken Inn at the beginning of the season, is set to move to Caps United, while striker, Tapiwa Marime will be moving to log anchors, Quelaton. Daniel Zokoto is said to be moving from Dynamos to PSL strugglers Hwange.

Former Zimbabwe Saints player Chipo Tsodzo is billed to turn out for Quelaton for the rest of the season. Andrew Tshuma will be making a return trip to Hwange after a stint with Hardbody, while Amon Makiwa is reportedly ditching Quelaton for Zifa Central Region Division One side Tripple B.

Meanwhile, Chicken Inn have successfully secured the services of former Hwange and FC Platinum midfielder Ntokozo Tshuma.