Marumo Gallants goalkeeper Washington Arubi has found a new home following the relegation of the Limpopo side.
Arubi had a fine season in Marumo’s colours as they enjoyed a fairytale run in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The only blight in their 2022/23 term would have been their relegation from the topflight on the last day of the season.
WASHINGTON ARUBI DEAL
Nonetheless, the Zimbabwe international has not been short of suitors. Sekhukhune United have moved swiftly to capture his signature ahead of their Africa Safari venture next season.
Babina Noko, finalists in the 2023 Nedbank Cup, will be playing in the CAF Confederation Cup in the 2023/24 season.
Guiding Marumo to the semifinals of the same competition as captain, the Zimbabwean would have gained lots of experience.
His 13 outings in this year’s CAF inter-club competition brought his number of appearances on the continent to 29.
![Washington Arubi [right] was among the award winners at Marumo's end-of-season awards](https://farpost.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Washington-Arubi-rewarded-1-edited-scaled.webp)
Those include CAF Champions League outings with his previous clubs, including Harare giants Dynamos.
That sounds like the kind of experience Sekhukhune United were looking for when they signed the talented goalkeeper on a free transfer.
Arubi is out of contract with Marumo at the end of June. “He has signed a one-year deal with Sekhukhune United. It appears they want to strengthen their goalkeeping department for the CAF Confederation Cup,” a Marumo player told FARPost.
HIS EXPERIENCE
In the DStv Premiership this season, Arubi played 26 matches and conceded 30. He kept six clean sheets.
The 37-year-old has played 180 games in the DStv Premiership since arriving in the country in 2012.
This was with University of Pretoria, Black Aces, Stellenbosch FC, SuperSport United and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila.
He has conceded 196 goals while keeping 56 clean sheets. At Babina Noko, he will vie for a starting place with Ivory Coast national team goalkeeper Ali Badra Sangare.
Zambian international Toaster Nsabata is also at the club and will be pushing for that spot. Sekhukhune narrowly lost 2-1 to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday night.
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