The Mbabane Swallows goalkeeper said he had been invited to try out with the Johannesburg side, but his Swazi outfit would not release him for the stint that was supposed to begin this week.
The goalkeeper, whose contract with Swallows runs out this month-end, has already declared himself unavailable for the Swazi league, adding that he would start an earnest job search in the ABSA Premiership next month.
“It’s so sad that I missed a great opportunity when Pirates invited me for trials, just because my current club refused to release me,” said the former Black Rhinos shot-stopper.
“Of course I have a contract with them and understand that they had the authority to stop me, but they must also know that they messed up my career because such great opportunities come once in a lifetime. I just hope Pirates will be patient enough to give me another chance. I will be a free agent at the end of the month, so it would be easier for me.”
Pirates coach, Roger de Sa, said he believed that Mazarura would make it at the Soweto giants, had he be given the opportunity.
“I have watched him play and believe he is a good goalkeeper. That is why we invited him over because we would have loved to assess him and who knows, he could have been our man,” said De Sa. “It’s just unfortunate that we don’t have authority over him and his team refused to release him since he is still under contract with them.”
Three months ago, Mazarura (28) underwent trials at another South African Premiership club, Ajax Cape Town, where he was prematurely pulled out by his club for one of their CAF Champions League games. Since moving to Swaziland few seasons ago, Mazarura has been impressive for the Swallows, the local league champions he joined three seasons ago.
He has also developed a knack for scoring goals – his club is currently one of their top goal scorers with 10 goals. He was Swallows’ third top goal scorer last season with six goals, which all came from set-pieces.
The goalkeeper was called for the Warriors for the failed Africa Cup of Nations campaign late last year, but failed to make it into the final squad.
Post published in: Football
He has also developed a knack for scoring goals – his club is currently one of their top goal scorers with 10 goals. He was Swallows’ third top goal scorer last season with six goals, which all came from set-pieces.