The Sunday News
Noel Munzabwa
FORMER Warriors international defender, Zvenyika Makonese, has all but dumped Shabanie Mine for big following MTN Premier League of Swaziland outfit Manzini Wanderers after impressing during the two-day trials last week.
Makonese, a key figure in the Chinda Boys’ Central Soccer League championship triumph earning himself as the region’s third best player behind Ricky Bota and Collin Moyo, arrived in Swaziland early last week before featuring in at least two practice matches.
A decision to sign him was immediately reached on Thursday and as the rest of the team was breaking for the festive break, Makonese was headed back to Zvishavane on Friday morning to collect his clearance.
“I am set to join Manzini Wanderers as I speak. I am leaving tomorrow morning (Friday morning) for the clearance. I don’t foresee any problem as we had an agreement with Shabanie. All things possible I should be back next week (this week),” the 39-year-old age defying defender said on Thursday night.
Wanderers technical director, Julius Chakupewa confirmed they had been impressed with Makonese who is set to replace outbound Frank Mukarati.
“Zvenyika has been with us for two days and he still has a lot to offer with his experience and he took no time to impress us. He will be joining us once the paperwork is done,” said Chakupewa.
At Wanderers he will be joining Tafadzwa Jaravanhi.
The mid-season transfer window period opens on 5 January and will run for a month with Wanderers also looking for a goalkeeper from Zimbabwe.
Makonese born on 7 July 1977 in Chiredzi cut his elite soccer career at Shabanie Mine. He joined Cape Town-based Santos in 2004 from Zimbabwean club Shabanie Mine. He played as a defender and was selected for the 2006 African Cup of Nations.
It was reported that he was set to join Stoke City at the end of the 2006–07 season after impressing in a trial at the club, despite interest from Wigan Athletic and several French clubs. However, no such move transpired. He also had an unsuccessful trial at Ligue 1 side Stade Rennes.
In August 2011 Makonese marked his return to the domestic Premiership when he signed a deal to join Shabanie Mine.
He was signed by South African Black Leopards but was unable to play in the PSL because of lack of documents between December 2011 and March 2012.
He has also turned out for Orlando Pirates.
@NoelMunzabwa
