ARIEL FEELS HONOURED BUT HE HAS REGRETS
ARIEL Sibanda says it’s a big honour to be named the Goalkeeper of the Year, a feat he has achieved four times in his illustrious career.
Sibanda, who has now spent 16 years at Bosso, believes his legendary status at the club can only be sealed if he manages to win a title.
It’s the driving factor for him to stay and fight for the title with Bosso.
He is the club captain.
Despite a fine start, with a 19-game unbeaten run, Highlanders faltered along the way as they struggled in the second half of the season.
Sibanda, who managed 19 clean sheets, was voted Goalkeeper of the Year and was part of the 2023 Soccer Stars of the Year finalists.
“It’s a great honour to be voted the Goalkeeper of the Year but I feel disappointed with how we finished as a team.
“I feel honoured because there are a lot of good goalkeepers in the country, so it’s an honour to be named Goalkeeper of the Year for the fourth time.
“I am carrying on.
“I still feel like I can still go on, I haven’t won the league with Highlanders and it’s my main priority.
“I have been with Highlanders for 16 years and, without a league title, I will just be a former player so, before I leave, winning the league is a priority.” He added:
“When we started this season, no one gave us a chance, everyone was saying it’s an average team.
“We had a few youngsters coming through and I think they did well despite the injuries that we suffered.
“Next year, I think we should beef up with one or two players in case we get to the same situation of injuries, just like this season.
“I would like to urge our fans to come in numbers next season, it’s possible we can do it with their support.”
Highlanders finished fifth with just 52 points, 14 behind champions Ngezi Platinum.
They managed 13 wins, 13 draws and seven losses.
This week Highlanders officially announced that they have parted ways with expatriate coach Baltemar Brito.
MURAPE Murape wants just one thing from the Dynamos executive: PLEASE CLEAR MY NAME.
He is demanding that the club executive retract ‘spiteful’ allegations levelled against him six months ago.
The 2007 Soccer Star of the Year was one of the Glamour Boys’ assistant coaches until the middle of the year when he was swept aside by the tide that also claimed the scalps of head coach Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa and manager Richard Chihoro.
Following allegations of gross misconduct, a scheduled disciplinary process was replaced by the reassignment of Murape and Chihoro.
According to Murape, the executive promised to reinstate the pair to their original positions by August 30.
However, the two haven’t been reinstated until after the leaders decided to take a different approach.
Murape has since written to the team demanding that they clear his name, which they “tarnished through unfounded allegations.”
He said:
“I have always been grateful for the opportunities provided to me as a player and coach, and it is with a heavy heart that I bring to your attention the damage caused by the false allegations made against me.
“As you may be aware, certain individuals within the executive committee falsely accused me of smoking and providing drugs to players, claims that are entirely baseless and fabricated.
“Regrettably, these false accusations were disseminated through newspaper articles, tarnishing my reputation in the process.
“However, I have concrete evidence in the form of recorded audios, wherein members of the executive committee admit to the fabrication of these statements.”
He added:
“It was my understanding that the club would take immediate action to rectify this injustice by retracting the fabricated statements through the same media channels that were used to spread them.
“I was reassured that steps would be taken to restore my name and reputation, allowing me to continue my coaching career without the stain of false allegations.
“However, to my dismay, no such retractions have been made thus far.
“I have placed my trust in the club’s integrity and commitment to doing what is right.
“I implore you to fulfill the promise made to me and take immediate action to rectify this situation.
“The fabricated story has not only damaged my image but has also had a profound impact on my prospects of employment within the football community.
“As a dedicated coach, my reputation is of paramount importance, and I find myself increasingly disadvantaged due to these false allegations.”