. Mbesuma
By FELIX MALUNGA –
CHIPOLOPOLO hitman, Collins Mbesuma has clinched a three-year deal with newly promoted South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side, Highlands Park.
The PSL reigning top scorer turned down a move back to his former club Golden Arrows.
Bloemfontein Celtic also have a long documented interest in the Zambian forward.
But Mbesuma settled for Highlands whose location in Johannesburg gave them the edge over other competitors.
According to South African online football magazine, KickOff.com, Mbesuma had apparently indicated that he was not so keen on moving away from his current base for the sake of his school-going children and would prefer to settle down in Johannesburg.
In an interview after finalising a deal in Johannesburg yesterday, Mbesuma, who banged 14 goals for Mpumalanga Black Aces last season to pick up his second golden boot in South Africa, confirmed that Highlands have offered him a three-year contract.
The 32-year-old striker said he was happy to join the Lions of the North, as Highlands are affectionately called, and promised to continue working hard.
“Highlands have offered me a three-year contract. I just want to continue where I left from,” Mbesuma, who became a free agent after parting ways with Aces at the close of the 2015/16 season, said.
Highlands, who secured promotion to the Absa Premiership after beating Mbombela United in the play-off, have been busy in the transfer chasing players with PSL experience.
The Tembisa outfit have also acquired the services of former Aces skipper Eddie Ngalo.
Mbesuma turned down a move back to his former club Golden Arrows as well as Bloemfontein Celtic.
Ngalo was also on the wanted list of Golden Arrows.
While at Aces, Mbesuma replaced Ngalo as a captain.
Its believed that Mbesuma opted to stay in Gauteng Province due to family commitments so any offers outside the region he rejected.
Highlands are also chasing the signature of Bloemfontein Celtic’s Thabang Matuka, Vuyisile Ntombayithethi of University of Pretoria, Jackson Mabokgwane and Limbikani Mzava of Black Aces.
They are also believed to be chasing Glasgow Rangers target Ugandan midfielder Khalid Aucho.
