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Chitiyo

Paul Mundandi Sports Reporter
TUNISIAN giants CS Sfaxien, who are currently serving a FIFA transfer ban, have targeted Zimbabwe international forward Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo once they come back to the market in a few months time.

The eight-time Tunisian side cannot sign players right now after they were slapped with a ban by the world football governing body for an improper transfer of a player.

The club, though, will be eligible to sign players for next year and have targeted Chitiyo, who was one of CAPS United’s best players in their CAF Champions League campaign.

Earlier this year, CS Sfaxien completed the signing of another Zimbabwean forward, Matthew Rusike, but that deal flopped because of the FIFA ban.

Rusike then penned a deal with rivals Club Africain. A number of CAPS United players have been targeted by foreign clubs, with Abbas Amidu moving to Egyptian side Smouha, having attracted interest in Algeria and Tunisia, while Ronald Pfumbidzai featured for Bloemfontein Celtic in a friendly international on Wednesday.

The South African club recently signed three players — Roggert Nyundu from Amazulu, Ali Abondo, a Kenyan international midfielder who played for Ajax Cape Town and Baroka’s Jacky Motshegwa.

CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe says his club has been unsettled by speculation related to the future of his players after the Green Machine were held to a goalless draw by Shabanie Mine on Wednesday.

The Zvishavane miners have signed striker Agrippa Murimba, who has crossed the floor from neighbours FC Platinum on loan.

Murimba has struggled to command a regular place at FC Platinum and his situation could have been worsened by the arrival of Mkhokheli Dube, Ali Sadiki and Takesure Chinyama.

Murimba only scored one league goal against Chicken Inn in Bulawayo. “I can confirm that we have loaned Murimba to Shabanie Mine Football Club for the remainder of the season following a request by Shabanie,’’ FC Platinum spokesperson Chido Chizondo said.

“It is our hope that he will find his scoring touch and we wish him well at Shabanie Mine. It is our club policy that we will not stand in the path of players if we feel that they have a chance of doing well elsewhere.’’

Shabanie chairman Elias Marufu welcomed the move after losing top striker Nelson Maziwisa to Kabwe Warriors, Collins Dhuwa to Chicken Inn and Erea Phiri to Ivan Hoe.

“We are grateful to Platinum for accepting our request. We welcome Murimba to our club and we hope he will be a hit. “We are very excited with the relationship between the neighbours,’’ he said.

“We are also appealing to well-wishers who can raise $800 for us to register six players.’’ Shabanie hope to sign six players, two defenders, two midfielders and two strikers.

Former Shabanie Mine, Orlando Pirates and national team defender Zvenyika Makonese is among those fighting for another chance.