Zim midfielder in demand

Despite not playing for the entire season, Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Lionel "Stix" Mtizwa has attracted interest from three South African Premier Soccer League clubs which include newly promoted outfit University of Pretoria.

The other two teams having expressed an interest in the Zimbabwean international are AmaZulu and Moroka Swallows.

A Soccer-Laduma source close to the dealings at Sundowns informed the Siya crew Tuks and AmaZulu have sent written requests to the Chloorkop-based club enquiring into the player's availability, while Swallows called to ask about his situation.

"Teams want Mtizwa, but he is still a Sundowns player and he has to wait for them to give him a go-ahead to play for another team. His contract was supposed to end in June 2013, but Sundowns have exercised the one-year option so he is contracted to the team until 2014.

"Tuks are highly interested in the player and so are AmaZulu. The problem with Swallows is that it's Gordon (Igesund) who wants him and it will depend on whether he stays on as the Swallows coach or not," the source explained.

Asked about reports, the player would neither confirm nor deny the interest. "As of now I am still a Sundowns player, but I want to play, so if there are teams interested in me, it would be good if Sundowns release me to go and play.

"But I cannot say which are the teams at the moment," Mtizwa said.

If he moves to AmaZulu, he will join fellow Zimbabweans Tapuwa Kapini, Carlington Nyadombo and Ramson Zhuwawo, or Gilbert Mapemba and Oscar Machapa at Swallows. Tuks are home to former Highlanders striker Nqobile Mpala and former Dynamos goalkeeper Tendai Tanyanyiwa.

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