Chiefs set to seal Bimenyimana deal

Burundian international striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana is headed back to South Africa to conclude a deal with Premier Soccer League giants Kaizer Chiefs, SABC Sport has learnt.

Bimenyimana, who had spent about three weeks on trial with Amakhosi during the pre-season, returned home just before the season started but had already started negotiations with the club. 

Head coach Arthur Zwane and Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr made it clear last week that a big number nine, who can hold the ball up and also bring some physical strength upfront was a priority. 

Zwane initially told SABC Sport that the trialists before the start of the season were not what they had been looking for, but it appears there has been a change of heart within the technical team regarding Bimenyimana.

Chiefs, who have just announced the arrival of Mozambican international defender and former Cape Town City player Dove Edmilson to add to the seven players they already signed in the off-season, have four more foreign spots available.

Amakhosi released three foreign strikers during the off-season, in Serbian Samir Nurkovic, Zambian international Lazarous Kambole and Colombian Leonardo Castro, in the exodus of players that also cut their salary bill.

The search for a striker at the Village has not been an easy one after Sierra Leone forward Musa Kamara, who is also a towering figure like Bimenyimana upfront, had his scheduled trial and flight ticket cancelled after his club Bo-Rangers scuppered the deal.  

Former TS Galaxy striker Wayde Lakay also trained with Chiefs but didn™t do enough to impress ˜Mangethe™, as was the case with former AS FAR (Morocco) striker Darren Smith. 

Meanwhile, SABC Sport understands that Du Preez is in doubt for this weekend™s crunch encounter against reigning league champions Mamelodi Sundowns, due to a groin injury he picked up in the 3-0 win over Maritzburg United on Tuesday.

By Velile Mnyandu