Indications are that Amakhosi are believed to be monitoring JDR Stars’ Ishmael Wadi, with a source revealing that the Soweto giants have been keeping tabs on the attacker since last year.
“Chiefs want to sign Ishmael Wadi from JDR Stars. He is a very good winger with great experience. They have been monitoring him since last year and even followed him when he went to Afcon 2022 with the Zimbabwe national team. I think his progress since joining Stars is what has impressed Chiefs scouts who have been watching him in most of his games. Now it’s all up to the two parties to agree on the move,” the source said.
Wadi joined JDR Stars from Zimbabwean side, CAPS United in 2021 on a two-year deal which expires on 30 June this year, and there is a likelihood that Chiefs could acquire the player on a free.
Siya sources have further revealed that the 30-year-old is aware of the interest.
“Yes, the player knows about it. He has been informed by someone from the management that Chiefs are interested in his services but his focus is on helping the team in the league where they are now,” the source added.
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JDR Stars are currently in position five on the Motsepe Foundation Championship log and have an outside chance of making it to the promotion play-offs.
The Siya crew contacted JDR Stars chairman and coach Nditsheni Nemasisi for comment, but attempts proved futile.
Zimbabwean forward Ishmael Wadi says he is looking beyond JDR Stars as he enters the last six months of his contract with the club.
Zimbabwean forward Ishmael Wadi says he is looking beyond JDR Stars as he enters the last six months of his contract with the club.
Though not entirely ruling out a contract renewal with the Motsepe Foundation Championship side, the 29-year-old is hoping and praying that his move to AmaZulu can finally materialize.
The speedy right winger saw the intended AmaZulu move crumble like a deck of cards in June despite indications that they had agreed on a three-year-old.
It later emerged that the two clubs failed to reach an agreement, leaving the former Caps United Star heartbroken.
However, as his JDR Stars contract nears its end, Wadi told FARPost that he is eyeing to break into the elite league having proven his scoring prowess since joing JDR Stars in July 2021.
ISMAEL WADI EAGER TO PLAY IN THE TOP DIVISION
“At that point l heard a lot of rumors about it, the likes of Chiefs and some teams did approach the club, AmuZulu among other teams,” he said.
Ishmael Wadi in action for JDR Stars in the second-tier league
Ishmael Wadi in action for JDR Stars in the second-tier league
“But they didn’t reach an agreement with my club JDR Stars. At the moment I’m still contracted with the team till the end of the season but I’m prepared to make a move.
“As players our ambitions constantly change as we develop. Just like everyone in South Africa and back home in Zimbabwe, I hope to play in the PSL.”
Wadi is one of the ten Zimbabwean players remaining in the South African football ranks following the massive purge that saw the bulk of the players being offloaded.
Since joining JDR Stars from Caps United, Wadi established himself as the club’s reliable goalscorer.
Last season he scored nine goals in all competitions but remains ambitious, with high hopes of winning the golden boot this season.
He started off the current season on a scintillating note, with a hattrick that helped JDR Stars account for probably their best win so far after thrashing Magesi 6-0.
At this point, the Zimbabwe International has five goals to his name and is two goals behind early pacesetter Ashley Cupido of Cape Town Spurs.
