Chivandire’s departure from DeMbare comes hard on the heels of Washington Arubi and Benjamin Marere who have signed for Highfield United. The DeMbare house that former coach Elvis “Chuchu” Chiweshe built is crumbling with most players that played last season unwilling to turn out of the club due to unfulfilled promises.
Chivandire has been club hunting in Botswana, following the end of the domestic league in December but this week finally sealed a move to Gaborone United.
The tall striker impressed the Botswana side who in turn shipped out Sandaka to make way for him.
Sandaka was handed his termination letter, which states that the club no longer needs his services because of “football reasons”.The former Zimbabwe Warriors hitman has over six months left on his contract with the club.
“I just got a letter from the club notifying me that my services are no longer needed. I am not sure what their reason is because the letter only says the contract is being terminated for football reasons. I am not sure what that means, but I have to move on with my career,” Sandaka said.
Sandaka has had a love-hate relationship with Gaborone United. The nippy striker parted ways with the club in the 2008/09 season when he was fingered as the ringleader of protests over bonuses. He was later recalled to the club.
Sandaka joined Gaborone United in 2006 after flirtations with defunct premiership side AmaZulu. The player rose to prominence when he played for Circle United.
In his debut season for Gaborone United, Sandaka scooped three awards despite playing 13 games. He was voted Players’ Player of the Year and also walked away with the Manager’s Player Award and the Top Goal Scorer Award after scoring 14 goals.
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However, what makes Sandaka’s offloading so painful is that Chivandire, the 24-year-old that made his name at Dynamos last season, is replacing him.Chivandire is the man who destroyed Gaborone United when they played Dynamos in the Africa Champions League last year. He scored Dynamos’ first goal in their 4-1 first leg win before creating the fourth goal.
The lanky frontman could prove to be a key aerial weapon for The Reds if he continues from where he left off at Dynamos. His strength is in the air and he has skill and great passing ability.
Several Zimbabwe players are ditching the domestic premiership despite reservations about the standards of the leagues in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and Swaziland — when compared to Zimbabwe —the players have found the temptation of better fortunes too good to resist.The Botswana premiership is now home to several Zimbabwean players while the coaches have also made it their destination. Some of the top coaches that are currently coaching in Botswana include Rahman Gumbo.
Warriors caretaker coach Madinda Ndlovu and Luke Masomere have also coached in Botswana.
