The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
FORMER Bulawayo Chiefs forward Ishmael Wadi and Chicken Inn striker, Moses Demera could be headed to China after teams in the Asian country invited the two for trials.
Wadi, who turned out for FC Platinum last season, is seeking a new club after the expiry of his loan term with the Zvishavane-based side and lapsing of his contract at Bulawayo Chiefs.
Demera has a running contract with the former league champions. Player agent, George Deda, who manages the two, said he had been contacted by clubs in China inviting the players for trials. He said the footballers are likely to leave for the Asian country next week.
“I am just waiting for the clubs to book the tickets and we go there for trials but invitations have come through and talk was that they would be going next week. They are wanted by two different clubs but we are arranging everything so they travel at the same time,” said Deda.
China has become a lucrative football market with Argentine striker Carlos Tevez recently joining Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhuas, from Boca Juniors, where he is reported to be earning a record £615 000 a week.
Deda, however, said FC Platinum had expressed interest in retaining the services of Wadi but he felt China would be the first choice.
He also said ZPC Kariba and Chicken Inn had also enquired on the availability of the striker, who showed great promise during his one year stint with the platinum miners.
“Overseas markets pay more than local teams hence the first choice would always be to go abroad but if that move fails then he (Wadi) will come back and look at the available options but I think Platinum would be at the top of that list,” said Deda.
Demera reportedly attracted the interest of the Chinese side two years back but he did not impress then but the side requested he comes for trials again.
The 27-year-old striker started his career in Division Two where he turned out for AGS in 2007 before joining Davichem the following year. In 2009 he moved to the then Premiership side, Gunners, with whom he won the league championship and played in the Champions League.
Gunners were relegated in 2012 but Demera stuck with the club but moved to Flame Lily in 2015 before joining the Gamecocks.
