Highlanders finally secures Master Masitara

BULAWAYO giants Highlanders have finally secured the services of goal getter Master Masitara after his Botswana side Nico United issued him a clearance letter. Highlanders are now waiting for the reverse international transfer certificate which will come through Zifa from their Botswana counterparts.

By close of the second transfer window on Wednesday, Highlanders were still frantically trying to secure the letter after the Botswana side had initially backtracked arguing that the former Railstars player had some issues that he should clear with them first.

"We have pushed through his papers with the Premier Soccer League and all we are waiting for now is the ITC only. His clearance letter came through," said Highlanders secretary Andrew Tapela.

Highlanders managed to register three players in the second window, Gabriel Nyoni who replaced Cleopas Dube who joined Bulawayo Chiefs, Tinashe Chipunza and Masitara. Making way for Chipunza and Masitara was the club's joint top goalscorer Graham Ncube and Honest Moyo.

Ncube has reportedly found a new home at Bantu Rovers. "Let me hasten to say that Honest Moyo was not offloaded but recalled from the 25 initially registered players due to an injury. He remains a Highlanders player and retains all his benefits," said Tapela.

With the league set to resume next Wednesday, Masitara and Chipunza could make their debut for the black and white army away to police side Black Mambas at Morris Depot.

Offloaded Dynamos player Allen Tavarwisa has since joined Monomotapa while Nation Dube, the Hwange coach, confirmed that former Chicken Inn player Richard Jongwe is now a member of the coalminers.

"I hope he will add some creativity in front and if he does well at training we might throw him in our next match away to Monomotapa," said Dube whose club is not safe from relegation though he remains hopeful that they will avoid the dreaded chop come end of season.

Another not so safe mining team, Shabanie Mine, registered two veteran players, Simba Gate who has been out of employment since the beginning of the year after a move to India failed and nomadic striker Norman Maroto.

How Mine, who recently parted ways with Philani Mabhena in a shock dressing room change, roped in experienced goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura and former Caps United defender Nyasha Mukumbi.

Mandla Mpofu's Chicken Inn registered five new faces, Clemence Matawu, Charles Mutero, Hardlife Muvindi, Dylan Chivandire and their former player Evans Chikwaikwai. Mutero, Matawu and Chivandire were part of the 10 players that left financially struggling Motor Action.

Muvindi, a hard running attacking player, was linked with a move to Highlanders but it appears he was not on their radar. Misheck Mburayi, a former Motor Action player, and hard tackling defender Norman Togara, were registered by Lowveld based Triangle.

Moves which were yet to be confirmed were that of leftback John Kapenya and Themba Ndlovu of Buffaloes who were reported to be on their way to log leaders Harare City.

Highlanders junior Lewis Rambo Ncube is also said to have been contacted by Motor Action. Kapenya is believed to be headed to Zimplats after a disagreement over money with Tripple B.

Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Kenny Ndebele said he would be able to give a comprehensive transfer list today. "I have not received the statistics as yet, maybe tomorrow (today)," said Ndebele.