Ranga Chivaviro’s star continues to rise as Chiefs, Bafana circle

Ranga Chivaviro’s star continues to rise as he inches closer to his Kaizer Chiefs switch while a Bafana Bafana call-up could be next.

As he inches closer to his next move, Marumo Gallants forward Chivaviro is in line to make his Bafana Bafana debut.

The 30-year-old has been in the centre of an ownership wrangle that almost derailed his exit from Gallants.

He was in impressive form for his club in the domestic league and on the continent. Gallants went as far as the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final.

Chivaviro scored 17 goals in all competitions this season. He caught the eye of several clubs including Chiefs, Young Africans, Richards Bay, and some North African suitors.

It recently emerged that the South Africa-born forward had penned a pre-contract with Richards Bay. This was before Gallants triggered the option on his contract.

With Gallants having extended his deal by a further year, the relegated club engaged Chiefs and Orlando Pirates over his services.

RANGA CHIVAVIRO’ SERVICES IN-DEMAND

Gallants’ chairman Abram Sello had agreed a transfer fee with Bucs in a double deal including Katlego Otladisa, which was in the region of R9.5 million.

However, while Otladisa joins Pirates, Chivaviro looks set to play his football at Amakhosi next season.

As he awaits his unveiling, FARPost can reveal he is being considered for a Bafana call-up ahead of next month’s COSAFA Cup.

The 2023 COSAFA Cup has been pencilled in for Durban from July 5-16. Participating teams are set to submit their 30-member preliminary squads this week.

The deadline for submitting the final 23-man squads is next week on Monday. Chivaviro is being earmarked for a place.

Born to a Zimbabwean father and a South African mother, the powerful forward has never played for either of the two nations.

He holds a South African passport, having been born in the country and grown up in Mpumalanga.

“Abantu ma bezw’ igama lakho [when people hear your name] especially igama lam’ [my name]. They’ll be like angeke [never] there’s no way you’re South African,” he told Metro FM.

“I just tell them my dad is Zimbabwean and my mom is South African. Personally, I was born in Limpopo Ga-Kgapane.

“When you tell people that your name is Ranga and you’re South African it doesn’t correspond.”

Asked whether he had ever considered playing for his dad’s country – Zimbabwe – he said he “had never really put it to head.”

“It has come to me before in 2018. But I’m not sure if you’re able to represent a country when you don’t have the documents [passport]. It’s possible when one parent is from that country. I’ve never really put it to head.”

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