Maritzburg United has confirmed that the club has exercised the two-year option in Evan Rusike’s current contract with the Team of Choice.

The Zimbabwean striker, who joined the Team of Choice from Zimbabwean side Hwange at the start of the 2015-16 side, has since netted 12 goals and assisted a further six from 49 appearances in all competitions so far.

Rusike insists that his only focus at the moment is to help the club succeed in the Absa Premiership this season after the club exercised an option in his current contract.

‘I was happy to join the club last season and help to survive relegation. Now that the club has exercised the option, I have to stay focused,’ Rusike told the Maritzburg United website.

‘I have a job here. It’s an opportunity for me to keep improving on my game.’

Maritzburg marketing and communications manager Brian Zuma has expressed his delight after the striker’s contract extension and he insists that the club is expecting good things to come from Rusike in the near future.

‘Evans is our property and we’re still expecting a lot from him. He is not for sale until the time is right, and if and when that happens, proper channels will have to be followed,’ Zuma said.

The 26-year-old striker has also played for Zimbabwean sides including Zimbabwean Saints and Kiglon in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League.

On an international level, Rusike has managed to score one goal from four appearances in all competitions for the Zimbabwean national team since making his debut in March 2016 against Swaziland in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Maritzburg United will now travel to the Makhulong Stadium when they take on Highlands Park in their Absa Premiership encounter on Sunday.

Kick-off has been set for 15:30.

Image: Maritzburg United website