Knox shocker…… On-fire hitman to leave Bosso
By Sikhumbuzo Moyo
BULAWAYO – On-fire Highlanders’ hitman Knox Mutizwa has hinted that he could leave the Bulawayo giants at the end of this season. Mutizwa’s contract has three months to run and striker could be headed to Sweden as a free agent.
Contract negotiations between the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League’s leading goal scorer and Bosso appear to have broken down after the club failed to meet some of the player’s demands, which include, among other things, assisting him complete the construction of his Gwabalanda house.
Mutizwa, who has so far scored 10 goals this season, said contract talks were deadlocked and confirmed his impending move to Sweden.
“I’ve not extended my contract with Highlanders because of what they are offering me. I have told them what I want, but they seem not keen to honour that and I have since decided not to extend my contract,” said Mutizwa.
“I have been loyal to the club, but they have failed to even pay me my signing on fees since I got into the first team. I will, however, continue playing for them if I fail to get a team outside the country. I will not play for any local team besides Highlanders.
“I could have gone to Sweden during this international transfer window, but there is no more time now since it closes next Tuesday, so I will probably go at the end of the (local) season.
“If I don’t make it, I will definitely come back to Highlanders, but for now, I will not extend my contract as long as what I asked for has not been met by the club,” Mutizwa said.
If he quits, Mutizwa will become the second player from the club’s junior system to leave Bosso this year after midfielder Ozias Zibande.
Zibande left for free and now plies his trade in the Botswana Premier League.
Mutizwa is also likely to leave, with the club getting nothing from its investment, if he makes good his threats to quit. Highlanders’ chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede said he could not shed any light on Mutizwa’s contract talks.
“His contract expires in December and I know nothing about his contract talks,” he said.
Mutizwa is set to miss the eighth meeting between Highlanders and Chicken Inn at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday after accumulating three yellow cards.
He is among seven players that will miss this weekend’s league matches through automatic suspension. Mutizwa got his first yellow card in the 2-3 away loss to Dynamos in June and the second in Bosso’s 1-2 defeat to FC Platinum at Barbourfields Stadium last Thursday.
He received his third yellow in the Bulawayo giants’ shocking 0-1 loss to lowly Whawha at Ascot Stadium in Gweru last Sunday.
The other players set to sit it out this weekend’s ties include Tsholotsho FC’s Kries Chitiyo, the Dongo Sawmill duo of Kelvin Katandika and Never Tigere and FC Platinum’s Winston Mhango.
Flame Lily and Hwange will have to make do without Tendai Huwa and Collen Mleya respectively. The Chronicle
