HIGHLANDERS risk losing defender Mbongeni Ndlovu, whose contract expires on December 31, amid revelations that the player is on the radar of the resourced duo of Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Ngezi Platinum Stars as well as FC Platinum.
Ndlovu (25) signed a two-year contract in 2021 and could be leaving the club as a free agent next year as the club is yet to approach him for a contract extension.
Without mentioning names of clubs, Ndlovu’s handler Trust Nyambiya yesterday confirmed that there were offers from elsewhere for the player and that the Bulawayo giants are yet to engage the defender on a possible contract extension.
“We signed a two-year contract with Highlanders in 2021, which is lapsing on December 31. Normally when a player’s contract is due to expire, the club engages six months before and we expected that from Highlanders but they are quiet. Maybe they are willing to continue with him. In 2021, they approached us in May or June for a contract extension,” he said.
“There are clubs that have made offers but we are waiting to hear from Highlanders and we will give them up to December 31. We have respect for the club, maybe they have something big for him.”
Ndlovu also said he was waiting to hear from Highlanders, a club that gave him the opportunity to shine, confirming that he has been contacted by other clubs but nothing tangible has materialised so far.
“Highlanders have not approached me as yet, but I cannot say much about the future. It’s just contacts that have not materialised, I will hear what Highlanders have to say,” Ndlovu said.
The defender has been one of the key players at Highlanders and capped a fine performance in the 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League
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season.
If anything, Ndlovu is likely settle for Ngezi Platinum, who will be taking part in the Caf Champions League after winning their maiden league title.
One other player that Highlanders could lose as a free agent is Warriors’ defender and Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year finalist Andrew Mbeba, whose contract also expires on
December 31.
The former Young Warriors star, who had a hearty performance in the Warriors’ 1-1 draw in a World Cup qualifier in Rwanda last month, is said to have attracted the attention of unnamed clubs in Botswana and South Africa.
Meanwhile, coach Baltemar Brito and his assistant Antonio Torres, whose contracts come to an end on December 31, remain in the dark over their status at the Bulawayo giants.
The Portuguese duo is in the Warriors’ technical fold, with Brito as the head coach and Torres as fitness and conditioning coach.
