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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
RESURGENT army side Black Rhinos have closed the door for unsettled former Warriors midfielder Raphael Manuvire after he failed to pitch up for the signing ceremony of a two-year deal the two parties had agreed on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old terminated his one-year contract with Dynamos just six months into the deal after he failed to make an impact at the Glamour Boys.

Black Rhinos officials were on Wednesday made to wait for the midfielder, but he didn’t turn up. Club secretary-general Camble Sithole yesterday confirmed the soldiers were no longer interested in Manuvire’s services.

“We had agreed in principle and all seemed to be heading in the right direction, but then he (Manuvire) didn’t turn up nor did he communicate his position,” said Sithole.

“We had hoped to sign him and he had shown a lot of interest in joining us. He had virtually agreed to be part of us. But then, at a time when we were supposed to tie the loose ends, he didn’t turn up.

“He has not even come back to us and we are in the dark pertaining his position. Maybe he will communicate, but in any case we have already closed the door on him. We are no longer interested in signing him. We have already shifted our focus to developing the squad which is doing well in the marathon. We have since signed two teenagers from Shabanie – Mcdonald Makuwe and Kibaki Dhlamini -and we are now working around the clock processing their papers to enable them to play this weekend.’’

Although Manuvire, who handles his own affairs could not be reached for comment yesterday, he is understood to be angling to join Ngezi Platinum Stars.

Black Rhinos and Yadah lock horns at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon. The army side, who on Thursday received an $80 000 sponsorship boost from NetOne, will be without their inspirational captain Bruce Homora, who is injured.