UNSETTLED FC Platinum strikers Norman Maroto and Tendai Nyamadzawo have returned home after their efforts to undergo trials in Egypt were unsuccessful. The duo returned home from Cairo on Monday with nothing tangible towards possible moves although Nyamadzawo remains optimistic.

Nyamadzawo left on January 16 while Maroto followed a week later.

"I managed to train with a team in the Premiership called Petro-Jet.

"I was given a chance to play in one of the friendlies and partnered a guy from Ghana who was on trials.

"Our match ended in a 2-2 draw and I managed to score a goal while the guy from Ghana was also on target," said Nyamadzawo.

The former CAPS United, Lengthens and Masvingo United forward said he could not undergo trials with the other teams as arranged.

"Unfortunately, I only trained with one club and we arrived just three days before the deadline of their player registration," said Nyamadzawo.

The player said he is likely to return to Cairo in June.

"The season in Egypt is almost halfway through and their play is very fast.

"The players are also fit but I am hopeful I can play.

"In the meantime I hope to find a local club," said Nyamadzawo.

Maroto, who traveled later, did not get a chance to play in any friendly matches.

The two players went under a deal organised by EuroAfrica Group, through their subsidiary Afriten.

Under the deal, the players were to spend at least two months attached to Egyptian clubs and academies with Takesure Chinyama, Evans Gwekwerere and Washington Pakamisa scheduled to follow.

The players also were expected to get a run at Misr El Makssa, then Harby Misk and El Geish clubs.

The players are now disillusioned after FC Platinum deemed them excess baggage this season.

The two players were lucky to leave the volatile Egypt just before the deadly clashes that left 74 people dead in Port Said after a match between Al Ahly and Al Masry on Wednesday.

"There were some tensions when the people protested against their leader a few weeks ago but we had already left when there was a massive riot this week," said Nyamadzawo.

In May last year, Zimbabwe international Cuthbert Malajila was forced to flee Libya after civil war broke out while tennis star Mladeli Ndlela was trapped in Cairo for days when protesters took to the streets to demonstrate against former president Hosni Mubarak.