HIGHLANDERS are chasing after Shabanie Mine attacking midfielder Valentine Ndaba as they continue contract negotiations for the 2014 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
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Speculation had been rife that the 24-year-old dribbling midfielder had been linked to Shabanie Mine neighbours FC Platinum, but the player yesterday said those were just rumours.
Ndaba said he had been approached by a handful of clubs, but he was eyeing a move to the City of Kings to Highlanders, a club that has been the latest to approach him.
Speaking from Harare yesterday, Ndaba said by next week he would know his next port of call.
“By next week I will know where I will be playing next year. I have been approached by a number of clubs including Highlanders and I will definitely want to play for a big club next year. It is only rumours that I might be going to FC Platinum.
“If I don’t go to Highlanders, then I am staying in Zvishavane,” said the midfielder, who also plays as a winger.
Ndaba referred Southern Eye Sport to his manager Tafadzwa Mubaiwa.
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Mubaiwa confirmed that the former Gunners midfielder had been approached by three of the country’s big clubs — Highlanders, Harare City and Caps United.
“We have had calls from Caps and Harare City. He (Ndaba) told me that he had received a call from a Highlanders official this morning (yesterday). We will be weighing the options and he will take the best offer,” Mubaiwa said.
Ndaba played for DStv Rangers in Harare in 2010 before he joined Gunners in 2011 and when they were relegated last year, he joined Shabanie Mine.
With Highlanders gaffer Kelvin Kaindu having finally renewed his contract by a further two years on Saturday, it is yet to be seen which new players will be joining the club next season.
Bosso is likely to retain a bulk of their senior players whose contracts expire tomorrow and had reportedly indicated that they would not be penning new deals with Highlanders if Kaindu was not renewing his contract.
The players whose contracts expire tomorrow are Mthulisi Maphosa, Peter “Rio” Moyo, Masimba Mambare, Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube, Dumisani “Fazo” Ndlovu, Erick Mudzingwa, Milton Ncube and goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya while Heritein Masuku, Bhekimpilo “Barca” Ncube, Beaven Chikaka, Bruce Tshuma, Lawson Nkomo, Master Masitara and Tinashe Chipunza are said to be in the departure lounge.
Left-back Bruce Kangwa and Simon Munawa are the only players who still had running contracts.
Highlanders are likely to lose Diya who is eyeing a move to South African Absa Premier Soccer League side Golden Arrows while Rio was also on trials with Bidvest Wits last week before he joined the Warriors squad preparing for the African Nations Championships finals which start in South Africa in two weeks.
Also on Bosso’s radar is Hwange’s right-back Erick Chipeta who has also been on trials with Golden Arrows while the Bulawayo giants are also hoping for the return of Joel “Josta” Ngodzo, Welcome Ndiweni and Rahman Kutsanzira.
In the picture is FC Platinum’s Charles Sibanda who has told the Zvishavane club that he will not be returning to the Midlands.
Bosso are also chasing after the signatures of Triangle’s Pascal Manhanga, How Mine’s Timothy January and Khumbulani Banda.
