The two players joined the Amakhosi in the middle of August, but have not played any competitive games for their new paymasters, owing to a delayed issuance of their work permits. Chiefs revealed recently that the two players have since been cleared by Home Affairs to play for the club.
Katsande, who scored for the Zimbabwe Warriors in their last two fixtures – a 2-0 win over Zambia in an international friendly and last weekend’s 3-0 win over Liberia in an African Nations Cup qualifier, says he is ready for the new challenge at Naturena, where he moved from his forgettable stay at Ajax Cape Town.
The two players’ clearance was greeted with three tough fixtures for Chiefs – yesterday’s MTN8 final fixture against perennial and biggest rivals, Orlando Pirates, a midweek league fixture away at Ajax and a league derby with Pirates next weekend.
However, Katsande said before the weekend that he was ready for the challenge, especially the prospects of coming up against Pirates in the biggest fixture of South African football.
“The Soweto derby is a game that brings excitement to millions of people not only here, but also back home in Zimbabwe,” said Katsande. “Having been glued to my television set last year to watch the epic battles between the two giants, it was nice to see my compatriot, Knowledge Musona scoring a brace in the 3-1 and the guys were at their best as they beat Pirates 3-0 in the Telkom final as well.”
He added that he has been preparing hard to do duty with the Amakhosi while awaiting his work permit.
“I was working hard even before the papers got processed. It is a dream of every player to play in the Soweto derby, but I know that I will not just walk in there and play. I am therefore, patiently waiting for my chance to come,” added the player, who has seen his new team become the only team to have won all three of the games they have played so far in the season.
Defensive midfielder Katsande signed a three-year contract with Chiefs from Ajax, where he was restricted to the sidelines last season, while defender Zvasiya joined from Platinum FC in Zimbabwe.
Post published in: Football