Zambianfootball.net

The current Absa Premiership defending champions have moved quickly to apply for naturalization papers for one of their players after registering offering him a two-year contract.

Noah Chivuta has been named in Zambia national team squad for Cosafa. The attacking midfielder scored six goals for BidVest Wits last season.

While submitting former Jomo Cosmos Liberian striker Anthony Laffor’s application for a work permit, the club has also applied for naturalization papers for former Bidvest Wits anchor Noah Chivuta.

The player has been campaigning in the South African professional scene for seven years now and in terms of the country’s rules, he now qualifies for South African residency and can thus be registered as a South African.

United has bought wisely this year and the arrival of the likes of Glen Salmon, Oscar Ntwagae and Laffor with the possible signing of Shaun Bartlett should Katlego Mashego secure his dream move abroad makes them serious contenders for the championship again.

Registering Chivuta as a local will open a place to enable the club to register another foreign player as the rules make provision for the registration of only five foreigners but clubs are only allowed to play four at any given time.

Meanwhile Zimbabwe’s latest striking sensation Evans Chikwaikwai has been handed his first call-up to the national team, included in a 20-man squad for the Cosafa Senior Challenge in Mpumalanga later this month.

Chikwaikwai’s 14 goals in 15 matches in the Zimbabwe premier lraghue for Njube Sundowns has caught the eye of the Brazilian coach Jose Claudinei Georgini, better known as Valinhos. Heis one of a handful of new faces in a 20-man squad that will open its attempt for a fourth southern African championship title when they meet arch rivals Zambia in Secunda on July 27.

Zimbabwe’s Cosafa Squad:

Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Highlanders), Edmore Sibanda (Chapungu)

Defenders: Gilbert Banda (Highlanders), Jaimu Jambo (Gunners), David Kutyauripo (CAPS United), Elvis Meleka (Shooting Stars), Obert Moyo (Pretoria University), Zephania Ngodzo (Highlanders), Ronald Sengu (Lengthens), Daniel Vheremu (Shooting Stars)

Midfielders: Charles Chiutsa (Monomotapa), Ovidy Karuru (Masvingo United), Mthulisi Maphosa (Monomotapa), Clement Matawu, Louis Matawu (both Motor Action), Lionel Mtizwa (CAPS United) Pride Tafirenyika (Shooting Stars)

Strikers: Evans Chikwaikwai (Njube Sundowns), Cuthbert Malajila (Highlanders), Daniel Zokoto (Monomotapa

[Supersport Zone]