ZPC Kariba beef up squad ahead of deadline

Sport
ZPC Kariba have added four players into their dressing room in their quest to maintain an unbeaten run.

PREMIER Soccer League (PSL) side ZPC Kariba have added four players into their dressing room in their quest to maintain an unbeaten run as well as challenging for the championship in their maiden premiership dance.

By Brian Nkiwane

Gwenya Rekuchamhembe or Kauya Katuruturu, as they are affectionately known, have snapped up former Gunners and Mochudi Centre Chiefs midfielder Elvis Meleka, Keith Mavhunga, Terrence Gonzo and Daniel Chakupe.

Apart from the four players, ZPC Kariba still have one junior player Phillip Nelson who is still trying to impress the Saul Chaminuka-led technical team.

Speaking to this publication on Friday, a club official said they had acquired the services of Meleka to beef up their midfield department which is missing the services of playmaker Raphael Manuvire who was injured at Gwanzura in Harare in a league match against Chapungu.

Meleka’s contract with Chiefs ends on July 31 and the player had no intentions of renewing it as he had no plans to return to Botswana.

The official revealed that Meleka signed a one-year contract with the power utility company outfit.

“I can confirm that we have acquired the services of Elvis Meleka. I think everyone knows very well that [Raphael] Manuvire was injured in a league match in Harare some weeks ago so there is every reason why we should do business in the market,” said the club official.

“Obviously after that injury to Manuvire, Moses Makanje was tasked to play that position and he has been playing very well.” Mavhunga acquired from Lake Harvest is believed to have signed a two-year contract, as well as former CAPS United player Gonzo who joined ZPC as a free agent. Chakupe, their former player, also signed a two-year contract from Shabanie Mine.

“We are still accessing Nelson with a view of giving him a contract,” added the official.

However, the official said the new players were not expected to play anytime soon because of the level of competition in the team. “I am not expecting any of them to start in our next league match on Saturday [yesterday] because of the level of competition in our team,” he said.

Meanwhile, the good news in the ZPC Kariba’s camp is the quick recovery of “darling of the crowd” Manuvire.

According to the official, Manuvire has shown great recovery as he is now walking without crutches.

“The boy is a fighter. He has shown speedy recovery as he is now walking without support.”