Zimbabwean starlet on the verge of joining Kaizer Chiefs

YOUNG Warriors midfielder Abbas Amidu is on the verge of completing a move to South African Premiership giants Kaizer Chiefs after he impressed the club.

Amidu, who has been on trials at Naturena Park for the past two weeks, may become the latest local player to join the Absa Premiership during the January transfer window.

Sources close to the deal told reporters that Amidu's club Black Mambas and Chiefs, are close to reaching an agreement.

Amidu, who returned home on Christmas Eve, could not be drawn into commenting on his imminent move referring all the questions to his manager Edzai Kasinauyo, who was not reachable.

"I had a good time training at Chiefs and would be happy to join them. But my manager is the best person to talk about it as he is the one who is handling everything. And right now I am back home enjoying the festive holidays," said Amidu.

The Black Mambas midfielder has been in South Africa since November and his first port of call was at Ajax Cape Town where he underwent trials before leaving for Johannesburg.

Reports from South Africa said the midfielder was the best foreign player of the players that were on trial there but the Urban Warriors urgently needed a striker to boost their strike force when the Absa Premiership resumes after the Africa Cup of Nations.

Amidu then moved to Johannesburg for a further trial stint with the Soweto giants and it appears the son of former player Amidu Hussein, may have done enough to convince Amakhosi to add another Zimbabwean in their books.

The club has always enjoyed a good and successful relationship with Zimbabwean players since the days of Ebson "Sugar" Muguyo, Rabson Mchichwa, Cleopas Dlodlo and Luke Jukulile Petros.

Amakhosi already have five Zimbabweans in their fold: vice captain Tinashe Nengomasha, defenders Thomas Sweswe, Zhaimu Jambo, Lincolin Zvasiya and Willard Katsande.

And Chiefs still have one foreign spot which they intend to fill during the transfer window and, interestingly, all the foreigners at the club are Zimbabwean.

Zimbabwe internationals Onesimor Bhasera and Knowledge Musona have also had successful stints with the Soweto giants before moving to England and Germany respectively and team general manager Bobby "Beefstake" Motaung is a fanatic of Zimbabwean players.

Just after the current season had started in August, Kaizer Chiefs signed former FC Platinum defender Zvasiya before prizing away Warriors midfielder Katsande from Ajax Cape Town.

The only Zimbabwean player who in recent times has failed to make the grade at Naturena Park is former Dynamos midfielder Justice Majabvi. The midfielder was on trials at the same time Zvasiya was on trials and the club opted to sign an attacking midfielder Katsande. The former Highway man, Katsande, impressed Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Donald Khuse and manager Montaung during an international friendly against Zambia at Rufaro in August.

If Amidu moves to Chloorkop base he will reunite with his teammate at Aces Youth Academy Zvasiya. Nigel Munyati and Marc Duvillard Academy has produced a lot of talent with Musona and Ajax Cape Town Khama Billiart also coming from the Waterfalls based Academy.

The midfielder was a shining light for the police side as it escaped relegation and was duly rewarded with a place among the 11 Castle Lager Premier League finalists.

Amidu has tried his luck in Europe and in July together with Archieford Gutu went to Sweden for trials with first division side Kalmar FC with Gutu eventually sealing a deal with the club and is set to join his new club in January.

The midfielder's signature is also being chased by some of the local Premiership big clubs.