Ex-Kaizer Chiefs forward Brian Abbas Amidu has been sent to prison in Zimbabwe for “dealing in dangerous drugs”.

Amidu, who is also listed in local records as Tumai Matsika, was arrested along the Kwekwe-Kadoma highway last year after authorities seized 750 kilogrammes of dagga valued at US$75,000 (R1.2 million).

He appeared before the Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court alongside 41-year-old Kudzai “Reuben” Mhlanga, who’s also a former footballer and played as a defender for local side Dynamos. The duo was charged with drug trafficking.

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the sentencing of the two former players, saying, “The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that crime does not pay. This follows the arrest, conviction and sentencing of two former soccer players, Tumai Matsika (Abbas Amidu) and Kudzai (Reuben) Mhlanga, for dealing in dangerous drugs (dagga).

“The two appeared in court on 24th February 2026 for sentencing and were each sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment.”

Amidu, 35, was in the books of Kaizer Chiefs in 2012 but didn’t make it, resulting in a move to Black Leopards, where he played for three years.

He later starred for CAPS United and was part of the squad that won the 2016 Castle Lager Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League title and competed in the CAF Champions League.

Mhlanga, meanwhile, played for Dynamos and featured in the team that reached the semi-finals of the 2008 CAF Champions League.

Amidu is reportedly also facing similar charges at Epworth Magistrates Court, where additional drug-related allegations are being processed.