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Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter

NGEZI Platinum Stars are back on the market as they seek to plug the gap created by the departure of utility player, Gerald Takwara, who is now on the books of South African top-flight side Chippa United.

The Mhondoro side had been hoping Takwara would renew his contract, which ran out on June 30.

But, the holding midfielder, who can also play as a centre-back, has since penned a two-year deal, with Chippa.

And Ngezi Platinum coach, Rodwell Dhlakama, yesterday said the team have since begun the hunt for Takwara’s replacement.

“The challenge is that there is no football being played at the moment but we are looking at several available options to replace Takwara,” said Dhlakama.

“Takwara was one of our key players, before his departure to South Africa. We definitely need to fill the hole created by his move.

“The fact that he was a utility player means that we have to sit down, as a technical team, and look for the best possible options.

“Had the game been active, I am sure by now we would have already found the perfect fit for the bill.”

Takwara was one of Ngezi Platinum’s standout players, in the first round of the Chibuku Super Cup, which has been frozen, due to the spike in the rising Covid-19 cases, in the country.

He was deployed as a centreback, partnering Polite Moyo, in Ngezi’s opening victories over Triangle and Whawha.

Takwara was then moved into central midfield, in the come-from-behind win over FC Platinum, in their third game, as Dhlakama shuffled his cards for the tough encounter.

The former Monomotapa and Chapungu gaffer tipped the 26-year-old to excel at Chippa United.

“I have no doubt in my mind that Takwara is a top, top player. I am sure he underwent trials and passed at the team.

“He is a very disciplined player, who works hard at training, and we can only wish him well at Chippa United.

“He is a versatile player, who can play in any position, in the field. I am sure he will excel at the team.”

Takwara was initially supposed to join Chippa United at the beginning of this year but failed after Ngezi Platinum and the South African team could not reach an agreement.

The former Ajax Cape Town man will be hoping to impress in the colors of Chippa United and possibly force a way back into the national team.

He last featured for the Warriors at the COSAFA Cup in 2017.