Veteran striker Collins Mbesuma turned down over five clubs in favour of newly promoted Highlands Park.
Mbesuma, who has signed a three-year contract, was one of 12 players unveiled by the ambitious club in Kempton Park yesterday.
Bloemfontein Celtic were serious about having the striker on their books, but the Zambian wanted to settle in Johannesburg with his family, which is why he chose to sign for Highlands.
Mbesuma requested to be released by Mpumalanga Black Aces after the owners – brothers Mario and George Marfou – sold the club’s status to John Comitis, who then renamed it Cape Town City after their relocation to the Mother City.
Mbesuma will add valuable experience up front, as Highlands desperately need a sharpshooter.
Last season, defender Jermaine Christian was Highlands’ top scorer with eight goals. “They [Celtic] spoke to me, but I also have to put my family first. I have to stay in Joburg. I have been moving around for too long, so I just want to settle in Joburg,” Mbesuma said.
“I had some issues at Aces. It had nothing to do with football, but I asked them if I can be a free agent. I have signed for three years here. I had a long chat with the bosses before I signed.
“They went through the history of the team and I was happy. That’s why I chose to join them.”
He added: “There were maybe six or seven [clubs interested in his services]. There were teams in the PSL and I had some offers outside. But I want to remain in the PSL.”
Not long after he was unveiled, Mbesuma said he would be targeting the top goal-scorer award after winning it for the second time in his career last season.
He finished the season on 14 goals, a far cry from the 25 he scored at Kaizer Chiefs to win the top scorer award in 2004/2005.
“As a striker I want to win the top goal-scorer [award] every season. I hope I can continue where I left off and hold on to my top scorer award. I like challenges. I will work extra hard and work for the team. It’s not only about scoring, sometimes I have to create. I still have more years to play. I am only 32.”
GOOD LUCK MBESUMA…
Please come back and help HH win these elections. He is now attempting his final chance which is a do or die. Things are looking bad for him to an extent of discarding his old members for Pf bitter endorsers who he thinks can make him win. He has also taken on board the cartel whom zambians have rejected just for the purpose of becoming president. A striker like you Mbesuma can be of much help to hh. Alusa saana napanshi patalala.
It is Chagwa who needs help. kalusha has thrown his feather political weight already.
Dununa forward,
You character are just copycats. This is a sports story not a political one so please save us your ranting.
32 real years or African footballing years? Even Kalusha was in his early thirties for a very long time but playing in lowly rated Mexican league and Dubai. Jose Mourinho doubted Samuel Etos real age. Drogba is in his mid thirties but looking as old as Alexandar Chikwanda?
ba peter nsofu just put your two big behinds down. the problem with you people who were brought up in the village like HH and never played chidunu is you think you know everything.not very long ago we saw a 15 year old school boy in luanshya being forced to join ba roan when you were busy srcaching scabis and roasting rodents in the village.the truth is that mbesuma is in fact 31 because he was forced to obtain a nrc a year before he qualified to obtain a nrc. stick to what you know best like getting riches at the age of 30 and you dont know how you got so much magic money
Someone needs to help polish what these footballers say. You don’t say “I turned down” and “I put my family first”.
Rather of all the excellent offers, I had to finally settle for one. Your family does not pay your wages unless you are from royalty like Prince Charles! A good balance between needs can be worked out.
Nsimbi, the man will have difficulties understand what you are talking about . it is beyond
32 born in 1976 lol