Former AmaZulu goalkeeper at Mazembe

Zambian international holding midfielder and once a target of Mamelodi Sundowns Rainford Kalaba has signed a 13-month loan deal with African Champions League defending champions TP Mazembe.

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But former AmaZulu goalkeeper Kalililo Kakonje who was given a free clearance by the Durban-based side, is still on trial at the same club in an attempt to win a contract and then challenge Robert Muteba Kidiaba for the number one position between the TP Mazembe posts.

According to the Zambian Post, the Chipolopolo linkman Kalaba who has been club-less since January, underwent trials with the African champions in Lubumbashi on Monday and was offered the contract right away.

Kalaba first impressed on trial at Chloorkop but somehow negotiations stalled until Portuguese side Braga bulldozed their way into the deal and signed the player while offering him a five year contract.

However, after a season, Kalaba was on the move, first going on loan to Portuguese lower division sides and finally to Egyptian side Zamalek for a six month loan. Yet before he could settle in Cairo, he returned to Lusaka and refused to honor the contract due to terms related to his remunerations.

Mazembe spokesman Edhie Kabelu confirmed that the Zambian international trained with the defending African champions on Monday but was unaware of whether the player had been signed or not.

However, our sources revealed that the player impressed the Mazembe technical staff who recommended that he be signed in an attempt to strengthen the team that will be hard hit by the departure of several of their top stars to Europe during the January open window transfer period.

Among the players they are likely to lose is striker Dioko Kaluyituka who is reported to have impressed French Ligue 1 side Monaco and would be joining them during January while inspirational skipper Tresor Mputu and Guy Lisadulu have been banned for 12 and 11 months respectively by Fifa.

Three more players from Mazembe are said to be heading for various European destinations during the January opening window period after attracting the attention of talent scouts during the club’s participation in the Fifa World Club championships last December.