Phiri Jnr might face parent team in debut

Flames midfielder Gerald ‘Papa’ Phiri Jnr might face his parent club Bidvest Wits in his debut for Platinum Stars in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) this Saturday.

Platinum completed Phiri’s loan deal from Wits this week that will see him play for them until the end of the season.

According to Kickoff.com, as of yesterday Dikwena (Platinum) were trying to finalise his registration with the PSL

“The 23-year-old midfielder, who also holds a South African Residence Permit, is expected to be registered in time for Dikwena’s league game against Wits on Saturday,” reported the online publication.

Phiri confirmed in an interview yesterday that his registration process had not yet been finalised.

“Yes, it has been a long time since I played competitive football at club level, but there are still a few things to be finalised in terms of registration and I am just keeping my fingers crossed,” he said.

Phiri, who is considered one of Malawi’s brightest football prospects, has not played in the PSL since he signed for Bidvest Wits in July last year due to work permit complications.

Wits loaned him to a Botswana top league side Township Rollers with the hope of getting game time as he awaited his permit, but he encountered the same problem.

Stars General manager Senzo Mazingisa confirmed to Kickoff.com that they had signed Phiri.

“He has joined us until the end of the season. We are currently busy with his papers so that we register him very soon, “ he was quoted as saying. n