HARARE - Zimbabwean midfielder Elvis Meleka has no plans for renewing his contract with his Botswana club Mochudi Centre Chiefs next season and now eyes a move to the Castle Premiership.
Meleka’s contract with Chiefs is coming to an end on July 31 and has no plans of returning to Botswana.
“I will not renew my contract with Chiefs and I have no intention of going back,” Meleka told the Daily News yesterday.
The midfielder lured to Chiefs by Zimbabwean coach Madinda Ndlovu three years ago together with Arnold Chaka.
“I want to play my football at home. It is difficult to play outside the country,” Meleka added.
Meleka was doubtful of a return to the Botswana Premier League, saying even an increase in signing on fees would not lure him back.
The player’s representative, Makhosi Sibanda of Links International Zimbabwe, confirmed the player’s contract comes to an end on July 31.
Sibanda, however, would not state what the player’s next move would be; only saying he was on off-season break in Harare.
There are reports that cash rich Zvishavane-based FC Platinum and newly promoted ZPC Kariba are the clubs in the lead to land the midfielder’s signature.
Sources close to the player said he was unhappy about a couple of issues at the club hence his announcement that he would not return.
“Those boys (Meleka and Arnold Chaka) were not treated well, they always complained about salaries coming late. They thought the coming in of a new sponsor would change things but it never. Elvis has his mind made up on going back to Zimbabwe,” said the source.
Meleka was the mainstay of Chiefs during their back-to-back League title triumphs under Ndlovu.
Chaka’s contract with Chiefs also comes to an end this month and the defender is already negotiating with a number of local clubs as he also eyes a return to the Caste Premiership.