CHAMPIONS: Mapeza with the league trophy • CAF rejects ZIFA appeal for 2nd Champions League team • Ahly strike early to build two-goal ginal lead • Dynamos crash out of Champions League • Advantage Cotonsport as Dynamos flounder • Mugabe hosts Dynamos at State House

Posted to the web 30/12/2008 16:55:41
LEAGUE champions Monomotapa have signed Lengthens midfielder Richard Mteki on loan and are aiming to conclude two other deals for Mwana Africa striker Daniel Kamunhenga and Eastern Lions goalkeeper Tapiwa Mafunga in preparation for their maiden appearance in next year’s African Champions League.

Mteki, last year’s soccer star of the year finalist, joined on a loan deal with defender Brian Mapfumo, according to club secretary David Makombe, who submitted a list of 25 players to ZIFA for registration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Mteki had a brilliant season in 2007 and got his first senior cap in an African Cup of Nations qualifier against Malawi.

Interestingly, Norman Mapeza, his new coach at Monomotapa, was the interim coach of the Warriors in the game which they won 3-1 at Barbourfields.

The league champions also added Kamunhenga and Mafunga on their list sent to CAF.

Monomotapa have also targeted Kiglon midfielder and former Chapungu player, Tapiwa Khumbuyani and Eastern Lions captain Muchineripi Waerera.

Regular Monomotapa players Godfrey Mangove, Fidelis Mangezi, Tendai Samanja, Daniel Zokoto, Charles Chiutsa, Asani Nhongo, Lucky Simango, Makai Kawashu, captain Mthulisi Maphosa, Vorster Chitema, Ocean Mushure, Kenny Machakata, Lawrence Mdluli, Kenn Marowa and Edmore Chitato, have been registered.

The Zimbabwean champions, who beat Dynamos to the title, will open their campaign with a home clash against unheralded Miembeni FC of Zanzibar in the first leg of the preliminary round clash slotted for the weekend of January 30 to February 1, 2009. The return leg will be played in Zanzibar on February 15, 2009.

If Monomotapa overcome Miembeni they will face their biggest test in the African Champions League when they meet South African side Ajax Cape Town in the first round matches in March, 2009.

Interestingly, Mapeza had a brief stint at Ajax Cape Town in the twilight of his career as a player.

Dynamos reached the semi-finals in 2008 -- a hard act for Monomotapa to follow.

Save for Maphosa, who has played for the Under 20 and 23 and Chitema, who played for AmaZulu in the Champions League in 2004, the rest are novices with little experience on the international front.

CAPS United will represent Zimbabwe in the Confederations Cup after winning the CBZ FA Cup and will play Ugandan side Victors FC in the preliminaries. They also begin camp next week.
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
sports@newzimbabwe.com