It is always the case that when an influential player is set to leave for greener pastures, the management team start searching for alternatives. When Orlando Pirates, Wydad Casablanca and Spanish Segunda side Lorca placed offers for the Zanaco attacking midfielder, Saith Sakala, his club asked Josphat Mhondiwa(CEO Joe Mart Sports and Events), the UK-based Zimbabwean agent, to find replacement for Saith at Zanaco FC after Saith Sakala finalised his move to Al Fateh in Saudi Arabia. Mhondiwa in turn recommended players like Ronald Chitiyo, Tafadzwa Rusike and Donald Teguru of Ngezi Platinum. During that time, Ronald Chitiyo was also being sought after by Arab teams, which left Zanaco heavily trotting behind other options including James Bissue. Bissue is a 2011 Ghana U20 international who recently played in the USA. Another player also to be recommended by Mhondiwa was Joseph Mpande a Ugandan International. With Chitiyo gone, Mhondiwa settled for Rusike. “Tafadzwa Rusike was always an option for us, we asked you to get him for us after you told us Chitiyo was on his way to Tunisia just before we finalize the transfer of your player Saith” said Zanaco official on his recent conversation with Mhondiwa. Coincidentally, Andrew Rusike(uncle to Tafadzwa) who also manager to both Tafadzwa and Ronald Pfumbidzai, who is in constant touch with Joe Mart Sports and Events, alerted us of the recent developments with the player’s situation at Caps United. Andrew Rusike’s influence and advice were to be put under scrutiny as Zanaco FC asked Mhondiwa to facilitate Tafadzwa’s trip to Lusaka last Sunday, 15/10/17. The purpose of the trip was for Zanaco to sign the player since they had seen him play in the CAF Champions League.
Zanaco have staggered their way up to top spot in the Zambia premier league and hope to retain the league title. They are also in the 2017 Barclays Cup final. 
Meanwhile, Tafadzwa opted to showcase his skills in last week’s friendly match training sessions at Zanaco despite management team asking him to put pen to paper the same day he landed in Zambia. Whats app conversations dating back to July this year between Zanaco chairman Mr Edward Mutale and Joe Mhondiwa is testimony to the longstanding admiration of the Zambian side for the pint-sized attacking midfielder. Zanaco is looking at registering Tafadzwa Rusike for remainder of this season subject to getting an ITC in time since he is free agent.