Prince Dube courts European interest

By The Southern Eye | Jun. 9, 2021

WARRIORS’ striker Prince Dube’s sublime performance in the Tanzania topflight football league has generated a lot of interest from all over the world, with his management team saying enquiries have come from unnamed clubs in Europe and the Middle East.

BY FORTUNE MBELE

Dube (23) joined Azam FC last August from Highlanders and has been a revelation as he currently leads the scorers’ chart with 14 league goals and 17 in all competitions.

His manager Gibson Mahachi yesterday said Dube was on-demand with a number of inquiries that they hoped would be followed up by proper bids.

Dube extended his contract at Azam by another two years, with a year still on his contract amid reports that Tanzanian giants Simba SC were after his signature, but Azam have vehemently said the striker is not going anywhere.

“There have been inquiries from all over, but I cannot name the clubs. All I can say is that interest has come from Europe, North Africa and Saudi Arabia,” Mahachi said.

“It is just a matter of waiting. Most clubs have been active and now it is off-season, so we will see. We have had inquiries, but now we will see what can work.”

He said Dube signed an improved deal, but it still contained a release clause that would benefit both Azam and Highlanders if he decides he wants to move on.

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“Not much changed from his first contract, except to say it’s an improved deal and it still has a release clause. If he (Dube) wants to move, he can move and if anybody puts an offer and it is below the release clause, they negotiate with Azam,” Mahachi said.

He, however, could not be drawn into revealing the financial nature of the new “improved deal”.

Dube has previously been linked with a move to France, which Mahachi said was affected by travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, there were reports that Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca offered Azam US$1 million for Dube, but the club allegedly rejected the offer because they wanted to hold on to the striker, hoping he would help them win the 2020-2021 league title.

Sources have also said Dube might bounce back to South Africa before he moves to Europe.

He had a short stint with SuperSport United, a club he joined in 2017.

Dube has also attended trials in China.

In his maiden season, Dube has won accolades in Tanzania and is tipped to win the Golden Boot award.

He was voted the Vodacom Premier League player of the month for May after he scored two brilliant goals and weighed in with an assist in two matches that Azam played.

He grabbed the same honours for the month of September last year.

On the recent prize, he shrugged off challenge from Young Africans goalkeeper Metacha Mnata and Kagera Sugar striker Erick Mwijage, who had been nominated for the award, which is voted for by the top league’s coaches.

Dube’s coach George Lwandamina was voted coach of the month for May.