Sports / Soccer
Ex-Bosso striker signs for Baroka FC
17 Jun 2016 at 19:20hrs | Views
NEWLY promoted South African Premier Soccer League side Baroka FC have signed former Highlanders' striker Cleopas Dube from National First Division side Witbank Spurs on a three-year deal.
A jubilant Dube, who scored 13 goals for Spurs in the 2015-16 season in the First Division and finished as runner-up in the top goal scorers chart to Baroka's Thabiso Kutumela, said he also had offers from Bloemfontein Celtics, Free State Stars and Golden Arrows.
Kutumela, the First Division top scorer with 18 goals, has since left Baroka for Orlando Pirates and Dube comes in as a direct replacement.
"There were a number of offers from seasoned Premiership clubs, but I chose Baroka because they made an offer I couldn't resist. The other things that I considered were that there isn't much pressure at Baroka compared to Celtics, Arrows or Free State. There was also the issue of getting game time and I believe that this is a major step towards improving my career," said Dube.
The 26-year-old striker, who had been with Spurs since 2014 after joining the club from Highlanders, also revealed that Baroka bought him out of his contract.
"I had a year left on my contract and the fact that they were prepared to buy me out shows that they really wanted me. Now that I've realised my dream of playing in the PSL, I will continue working hard. I'm ready for the new challenge," he said.
Dube will join his new teammates at the Polokwane-based club on June 27 for pre-season training.
Meanwhile, Chicken Inn's Edmore Chirambadare and Mitchelle Katsvairo are close to completing their moves to Kaizer Chiefs.
They have reportedly stopped training with the Castle Lager PSL champions.
"The Kaizer Chiefs deal for the boys is still on and we must be finalising soon. On the issue of them missing training, at times they had to travel to Harare to sort some things related to negotiations and for that reason, it was felt that they concentrate on finalising matters at hand," said their agent Gibson Mahachi.
Kaizer Chiefs spokesman Vina Maphosa couldn't be drawn into commenting on the negotiations.
"Unfortunately I can't help you because at Kaizer Chiefs we're on a three-week break and it was resolved that we won't be talking to the media until we start work. I heard in the corridors about the players you're talking about, but I've nothing official," said Maphosa.
In other news, Chippa United and newly promoted PSL side Highlands Park are reportedly interested in the services of Maritzburg United defender Khumbulani Banda.
Banda (26) joined Maritzburg in 2014 and the dreadlocked leftback, who saw limited game time at the club following the departure of coach Steve Kompela at the beginning of last season, is expected to decide on his future in the coming week.
A South African source revealed that Banda is keen on leaving Maritzburg.
"Two teams, Chippa United and Highlands Park are interested in Banda. He should be completing his move soon. He wants to play and that's why he wants out of Maritzburg. The club that makes the best offer will get the player," said the source.
A jubilant Dube, who scored 13 goals for Spurs in the 2015-16 season in the First Division and finished as runner-up in the top goal scorers chart to Baroka's Thabiso Kutumela, said he also had offers from Bloemfontein Celtics, Free State Stars and Golden Arrows.
Kutumela, the First Division top scorer with 18 goals, has since left Baroka for Orlando Pirates and Dube comes in as a direct replacement.
"There were a number of offers from seasoned Premiership clubs, but I chose Baroka because they made an offer I couldn't resist. The other things that I considered were that there isn't much pressure at Baroka compared to Celtics, Arrows or Free State. There was also the issue of getting game time and I believe that this is a major step towards improving my career," said Dube.
The 26-year-old striker, who had been with Spurs since 2014 after joining the club from Highlanders, also revealed that Baroka bought him out of his contract.
"I had a year left on my contract and the fact that they were prepared to buy me out shows that they really wanted me. Now that I've realised my dream of playing in the PSL, I will continue working hard. I'm ready for the new challenge," he said.
Dube will join his new teammates at the Polokwane-based club on June 27 for pre-season training.
Meanwhile, Chicken Inn's Edmore Chirambadare and Mitchelle Katsvairo are close to completing their moves to Kaizer Chiefs.
"The Kaizer Chiefs deal for the boys is still on and we must be finalising soon. On the issue of them missing training, at times they had to travel to Harare to sort some things related to negotiations and for that reason, it was felt that they concentrate on finalising matters at hand," said their agent Gibson Mahachi.
Kaizer Chiefs spokesman Vina Maphosa couldn't be drawn into commenting on the negotiations.
"Unfortunately I can't help you because at Kaizer Chiefs we're on a three-week break and it was resolved that we won't be talking to the media until we start work. I heard in the corridors about the players you're talking about, but I've nothing official," said Maphosa.
In other news, Chippa United and newly promoted PSL side Highlands Park are reportedly interested in the services of Maritzburg United defender Khumbulani Banda.
Banda (26) joined Maritzburg in 2014 and the dreadlocked leftback, who saw limited game time at the club following the departure of coach Steve Kompela at the beginning of last season, is expected to decide on his future in the coming week.
A South African source revealed that Banda is keen on leaving Maritzburg.
"Two teams, Chippa United and Highlands Park are interested in Banda. He should be completing his move soon. He wants to play and that's why he wants out of Maritzburg. The club that makes the best offer will get the player," said the source.
Source - chronicle
