'Why I didn't rejoin Dembare'

FORMER Dynamos defender Partson Jaure has revealed why he decided to join newboys Ngezi Platinum Stars, instead of the Glamour Boys, rubbishing suggestions he was swayed by a fat pay cheque for his signing-on fee.

He says the chance to reunite with his former coach Tonderai Ndiraya, who is now in charge of the Premiership newboys, and the need to relaunch his career away from the pressure environment of playing for Dynamos, made him settle for Ngezi Platinum.

The Zimbabwe international defender joined the Ngezi side last week, in a surprise move, as many people expected him to rejoin Dynamos, the club where he made his name before a move to South Africa.

After just two seasons in South Africa, Jaure was offloaded by Pretoria University after the club was relegated and he packed his bags and returned home to relaunch his career.

Yesterday, Jaure spoke for the first time on why he opted to join the Premiership newcomers, instead of his former club Dynamos.

"I chose to join Ngezi Platinum because I felt I would easily settle and play my football there," said the defender.

"I must be honest, those match-fixing allegations really affected me so I couldn't commit myself to joining a big club like Dynamos at the back of those allegations as any wrong move in the team was going to put me under a lot of pressure.

"There is a lot of pressure at DeMbare and going there was going to cause problems, so I was looking for a small club where I can settle without pressure and around people who understand and trust me.

"A genuine mistake at Dynamos was going to be viewed with suspicion and I just wanted to go to an environment where there is trust which I knew I was guaranteed at Ngezi with my former coach who I worked well with before.

"I worked very well with coach Ndiraya before I left for South Africa and I am confident that I can slowly start afresh at Ngezi because I am still looking forward to going back to South Africa or any other better league.

"I am happy and want to help the club raise their standards as they are a new kid on the block."

The Warriors defender said his move was not inspired by a hefty signing-on fee pay cheque which some believe influenced the player's decision.

"My move to the new club was not driven by money, I cannot really comment about the money issue but my move there was motivated by the fact that there is a coach who understands me," said Jaure.

The defender said his image was left dented by match-fixing allegations which exploded in March this year in which his name was sucked into the shadowy plot.

ZIFA whistle-blower Leroy Waguta claimed that Jaure was one of the players who were drawn into the match-fixing scandal.

Polokwane City goalkeeper George Chigova and Jaure's former teammate at Amatuks, Washington Arubi, were also sucked into the scandal.

Jaure said he was affected by the allegations even though he was never sanctioned by both SAFA and ZIFA.

"It was a dark period in my career but I was happy that my former club stood by me. I never stopped playing as I had been a regular in the team, playing week-in-and-week-out," he said.

"The club supported me, offered me a shoulder, especially my coach Shaun Bartlett, who kept his trust in me.

"Even the director of the club consulted me and spoke about the issue.

"Unfortunately, the club was relegated and I decided to come home. I had some offers but then the deals went quiet and I cannot say whether it was because of the allegations or not so I decided to come back home."

The former La Liga defender said he believes he still has a lot to offer and returning home doesn't mean his career is now on a downward spiral.

"I believe the talent is still there, so expect the same old Jaure. Nothing has changed because I am coming back from South Africa," he said.

"I will remain focused and continue to work hard."

The Warriors defender is expected to begin training today.

And Jaure had a message for Dynamos fans.

"I am sorry to the DeMbare fans and maybe I will return to the club one day, you never know what happens in the future.

"Dynamos is my club, I grew up in the system, but I feel at this moment my interests would be better served at another club which is not Dynamos," said Jaure.