Soccer stars denied visas

ang=EN-GB> – The British Embassy has denied Warriors players Brian Badza and Joel Luphahla’s visa to undergo trials in English clubs because it fears they might not return home once they had left Zimbabwe.

The pair had intended to go to the United Kingdom as soon as their visas were approved but they now face an uncertain future. While the grounds on which both players were denied the visas were rather harsh, it seems the absconding of six CAPS United players in the UK last November after a friendly match between Highlands and CAPS United has come back to haunt local football.

British authorities indicated that they would launch a manhunt for the players at the time but have since then failed to locate them. Two other CAPS players—midfielder Ashley Rambanapasi and striker Leonard Tsipa have since flown back to the UK using the same visas grated last year.

Luphahla has been to the UK before where he unsuccessfully underwent a trial period with Sheffield United and returned home and proceeded to South Africa two years ago.

Unlike the CAPS United players, who had reached the twilight of their football careers and had no hope of securing clubs overseas, Badza and Luphahla are professionals who are seeking to find clubs to continue their careers.

Badza was due to undergo a two-week trial period with Scottish Premiership clubs Hearts and Arbedeen while Luphahla was destined for trials with an unnamed club in Championship (the First Division). Luphahla is currently based in South Africa where he is playing for SuperSport United while Badza is also wanted by the same club although Maritzburg Classic remain favorites to sign him. Badza has not played club football since he fell out with Belgian club Germinal Beerschot and is still hunting for a club.

The former CAPS United star forward had delayed his departure for South African Premiership side Maritzburg Classic who are keen to sign him in.

The players’ trials are being organized by British agents, Jack Duncan and Barry Thomas.