Cape Town - Former Zimbabwean head coach, Norman Mapeza, has voiced his concerns about the return of Knowledge Musona and Ovidy Karuru to the PSL from Europe.
Mapeza reckons that if all Zimbabweans ply their football trade in South Africa, then it will be a drawback.
“I do not think that when you get a chance to go to Europe and you come from a country like Zimbabwe, where we do not qualify for major continental tournaments, you can afford to come back and play in South Africa hoping to go back to Europe one day,” Mapeza said to Independent Sport.
Reports suggest that Karuru has already signed for Kaizer Chiefs from Belgium side OH Leuven, but the Glamour Boys are yet to confirm the capture.
Musona is on the verge of signing for Amakhosi for a reported fee of R11m as his parent club TG Hoffenheim are reluctant to keep him on their books despite his contract having two more years to run.
Mapeza, who played for Zimbabwe over 90 times, feels that the players are being misled and reckons they are not working hard enough to get to the top.
“I think both Musona and Karuru should not have come back, they should have stayed there and worked hard. It’s better to play in lower leagues while in Europe and work hard; chances will present themselves and you will find yourself at the top again.”
“I do not know who is advising these players but I think they are being misled because at the ages of 24-25 years old I do not see why such talented players should come back to Africa after breaking into Europe.”