JOHANNESBURG - Newly-promoted South African Premiership club Chippa United have dumped Byron Madzokere a month after agreeing to sign the Zimbabwean defender and applying for his work permit, with the club now having switched its preference to Nigerian centre back James Okwuosa.

Okwousa — who has been playing for Enugu Rangers in the Nigerian Premier League this year — was himself initially meant to join Ajax Cape Town but the deal fell through after contractual disagreements over his transfer.

With the transfer window closed, Chippa are now making efforts to register Okwuosa as a free agent following the closure of the transfer window last Friday.

Wandisile Mbenguzana, the Chippa manager, says Okwuosa will start training with the club today and becomes the fourth foreign player on the club’s books after the successful registration of Yao Thomas Amegnaglo of Togo and the Niger pair of Daouda Kassaly and Idrissa Seidou.

“We are trying to complete the signing of James Okwuosa as a free agent and we are waiting for his ITC. He has signed a one-year deal with an option and we don’t envisage any problems as we are already in contact with his previous club regarding the completion of the move,” says Mbenguzana.

While Madzokere — who was signed after impressing previous coach Manqoba Mngqithi — has now returned home to Harare, mystery continues to surround how his move fell through despite having already acquired his work permit and agreed to a contract with the club.

Strangely, Mbenguzana insists they never signed Madzokere, who will now return to his club Gunners. — Kickoff.com.