CAPS United star defender and 2015 Soccer star finalist Stephen Makatuka is unsettled ahead of Sunday’s Battle of Cities Part II following the collapse of a deal that could have taken him to South African National First Division side Amazulu.

The 28-year-old centre back, a longtime favourite of Amazulu coach Joey Antipas, was on the verge of finally making a foreign move but negotiations went up in smoke at the eleventh hour because Usuthu could not afford CAPS United’s asking price.

Antipas confirmed his interest on Makatuka had stopped because Amazulu cannot match Caps United’s asking price for the defender whose contract with Makepekepe is in the final six months.

“I have been trying to chase up the boy but well, he doesn’t come cheap so I will have to look elsewhere.

“The boy is now 28 and if he doesn’t make a move now he is going into the last chance saloon.

“My general manager has told me to forget about him,” said Antipas, who recently guided Amazulu to victory in the Uthungulu Mayoral Cup.

It has also emerged that the deal was mired in controversy after the late involvement of a third party in the negotiations, a development that allegedly forced Caps United to backtrack. Initially, local player agent George Deda represented Makatuka until the third party took over the negotiations.

Although Caps United could not reveal the figures involved, amounts in the region of $60 000 were being thrown around in the early stages.

Close friends of Makatuka claim that the situation has taken a knock on the defender’s motivation levels ahead of Sunday’s clash against Highlanders.

Caps United are on a revenge mission after losing the first episode at Barbourfields a fortnight ago.

“Stavo (Makatuka) has been inquiring about the deal from the club offices and the developments are negatively impacting on his concentration levels,” said a friend.

Although Makatuka did not talk much, referring most questions to his club, the former Hippo Valley defender sounded eager for a foreign move.

“Talk to my club, I am a Caps United player,” he said.

“I have been loyal to Makepekepe and will always be but given my age, one would feel when an opportunity avails itself it should be the right time to move.”

Caps United are third on the log and two points behind second placed Highlanders, who moved to 31 points after the midweek nil all draw against Triangle.

A victory for Makepekepe, who are yet to lose a league match to Bosso in Harare since August 2012, could see the two sides swapping positions on the log table.

Last season Caps United walloped Highlanders 3-1 at the same venue, with veteran striker Leonard Tsipa starring for Makepekepe. The 34-year-old is out of Sunday’s encounter, serving suspension for the red card he picked in the reverse fixture.

Fixtures

Hwange v Tsholotsho (Colliery), Chicken Inn v Harare City (BF), Triangle v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Gibbo), Caps United v Highlanders (NSS)