Makonese in PSL return

Sport
UNATTACHED former Warriors, Orlando Pirates, Santos and Shabanie Mine defender Zvenyika Makonese, has set his sights on rounding off his career at local Premiership side Triangle FC.

UNATTACHED former Warriors, Orlando Pirates, Santos and Shabanie Mine defender Zvenyika Makonese, has set his sights on rounding off his career at local Premiership side Triangle FC.

BY ALBERT MARUFU

The 36-year-old steely defender, who has been training with relegated Beitbridge side Tripple B since October, told Standardsport with Triangle being his home team, it is the ideal team to finish off his career.

“I think I still have two more seasons to play and would want to end my career in my birth area. I was born in Chiredzi, so it will be ideal for me to play for Triangle next season. I would have played for Tripple B this season, but arrived late for the papers to be sorted out before the completion of the season. It is sad that Tripple B were relegated, as they are nearer to South Africa where my three kids are studying” said the former Warriors captain.

“However, although Triangle is my first choice, I am open to negotiations with other clubs, even Dynamos or Highlanders. What I am certain of is that I will be playing in the Premiership next season.”

Tripple B coach Peter Manoti, whose club Makonese had been training with, said the defender is still sharp and can fit into any local side.

“He is still fit and committed to the game,” he said.

Makonese, who in 2011 was rumoured to have died in an accident, started off his career at Gaths Mine in 2001, before joining Shabanie Mine. He then joined South African side Santos before joining crack Orlando Pirates in 2009.

However, his stay at the “Buccaneers” Pirates was brief, as he only saw action in the 2009 season before falling out of favour with the technical team.

In 2011, he retraced his routes to Shabanie Mine FC helping the club survive relegation before heading for Mozambique, where he briefly played for Deportivo of Maputo.

Makonese, whose contract was not renewed by Orlando Pirates in 2011 after allegations of indiscipline were levelled against him also scoffed at reports that he is living the life of a vagrant in South Africa.

“It is not a secret that I drink beer, but I am very responsible. People are just jealous, that is why they spread these rumours. They said I am a tout at Park Station without verifying it. I have two commuter omnibuses that ply the Messina-Johannesburg route and I think that justifies my presence at the station. Some even said I am a rank marshal, but that is far from the truth,” he said.