The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Warriors player Kudakwashe Mahachi is keen to make a return for another loan stint to his childhood club Highlanders to revive his fledging career. Mahachi faces time on the sidelines after his South African club Mamelodi Sundowns did not register him for this season and with the transfer window in Zimbabwe having closed at the end of July, the player is stuck at Sundowns with the only move possible for next season. Sources have revealed that Mahachi was given a choice by Sundowns which club he wanted to be loaned to between Zambian side Zesco United, Zimbabwean teams Dynamos and Highlanders.
The 21-year-old told this publication during the week that he is not finished as yet and wants to put his career back on track. He made it clear that he wants to come back to Highlanders, a club he played for as a junior and then briefly on loan from Sundowns last season. He is one of the many players not registered by the Brazilians, others being Rheece Evans, Nigerian Ejike Uzoenyi and former ABSA Premiership top goal scorer Katlego Mashego.
“I am coming ekasi (home) to enjoy my football, football is not all about money. I will play for Bosso again, some teams will see me again. I bet my last dollar you will see the real Mahachi. I am not dead in my career. I am still super,’’ said Mahachi. Asked why he didn’t ask to be loaned out in July before the Zimbabwean transfer window closed, Mahachi said it was pre-season in South Africa and he did not know he was not in coach Pitso Mosimane’s plans for this season. He also could not secure a loan move to one of the ABSA Premiership smaller sides since they have all filled their five foreign players quota.
Mahachi arrives home today for the Warriors camp as they fine tune for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at home against Guinea in Harare on Sunday. After that he returns to Sundowns where he is going to train until the end of the year when he could make the move back to Bosso on loan. Mahachi, a Castle Lager Soccer Star of the year finalist in 2012 and 2013 signed a five year contract with big spending Sundowns last year who then loaned him to Highlanders before the skilful attacking midfielder joined the Brazilians for the 2014/2015 season. Nkembe as he is affectionately known in local football circles failed to make a mark due to injuries and tight competition at Sundowns.
Mahachi was sent for trials at top European side Monaco in July last year where he was said to have made the mark but the move to the French club did not materialise as Sundowns are believed to have demanded more money for the player.
