Musona, Mutasa to leave for Slovakia this week

Sport
Warriors players Walter Musona and Wisdom Mutasa are expected to leave the country this week to join their new teammates at Slovakian football side FK Senica.

Warriors players Walter Musona and Wisdom Mutasa are expected to leave the country this week to join their new teammates at Slovakian football side FK Senica.

BY MICHAEL MADYIRA The former FC Platinum strikers underwent a three-week trial at Slovakian Super Liga outfit last month and impressed coach Eduard Pagac who immediately initiated the start of contract negotiations which were successfully concluded late last month.

Upon arrival in Slovakian western town of Senica on Friday, Musona and Mutasa will each sign a one-year contract. They are however, before singing the contracts, subject to medicals.

The club carries an option to extend the deals if they further impress this season.

After the two made the grade in Slovakia, FC Platinum deregistered them for the second half of the current Premier Soccer League season.

The players’ rights owners Aces Youth Soccer Academy (AYSA), together with former Zimbabwe international midfielder Kennedy Chihuri had organised the trials.

“The players were impressed by what they experienced that side,” said AYSA director Nigel Munyati.

“From how they are regarded at the club, it seems they will definitely get places in the first team.

“We believe they are ready for the European challenge.”

The move to FK Senica is a breakthrough for Musona who has had trial spells in Tunisia with former African champions Esperance as well as twice at South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, but with no success.

It was, however, Young Warriors captain Mutasa’s first time to try and join a foreign club and he was successful at the maiden attempt.

“I am ready for the new experience. Playing in Europe has always been my dream and I cannot wait to start. During trials the coach always encouraged us and it is good that he believes in us. I hope to learn a lot in Slovakia and grow as a footballer,” said Mutasa.

“Slovakian football has high pace, but I will adapt. Most players at the club speak Slovak, but two guys are good in English and we quickly became friends with them. The food is good although it is mostly rice.”

By signing for FK Senica, the Zimbabweans stand an opportunity to break into the Dutch Eredivisie as FK Senica have a partnership with ADO Den Haag.

FK Senica are also friends with Brazilian side Cruzeiro who have Julio Baptista as one of the players and are coached by former Brazil and Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

They are one of the oldest clubs in their country and use the 5 070-capacity OMS Arena as their home ground.

Their biggest achievements have been runners-up finish in the Slovakian Super Liga in 2010/11 and 2012/13 seasons while last season they lost in the final of the Slovak Cup.

FK Senica finished on fifth position last season in the 12-team Super Liga and are on the seventh spot in the current season after four games.

Musona and Mutasa’s switch effectively rules them out of the national Under-23 squad for next month’s African Games.