Madinda takes Bosso poaching
HighlanderswelcomeBlackRhinosinseasonopener
We are competing so we have hav h to be on our toes throughout the marathon” marathon,” sa said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu said they are looking at the long run and will be introducing youngsters as they go, adding they are focusing more on putting structures in place to ensure young players make it into the first team.
“It is not about the first team but more about development as we want to create a feeder for the first team with lots of youngsters coming through. You will see a lot of youngsters featuring in the first team, if not in the starting line-up then they would be part of the 18 players selected for duty on that day,” he said.
Highlanders had a busy pre-season as they took part in the ZNA Charity Shield tourney in which they booted out Chicken Inn in the semifinals and then lost to Dynamos in the final. Bosso also beat Caps United in the KCD Mohadi Shield and also played new boys, Nichrut and former Premiership side, Masvingo United.
Ndlovu said the pre-season action enabled them to make a seamless shift into the league competition although the difference now will be that there is something to play for and little room for experimentation and error, although the midseason window will give them the chance to make any necessary changes.
Rhinos are also getting into the 2018 season with a new coach, Herbert Maruwa after parting ways with Stanford “Stix” Mutizwa who led the Zimbabwe National Army team back into the Premiership and although had a blistering first half of the 2017 season, his charges faltered in the home stretch leading to his dismissal.
Chauya Chipembere, as Rhinos are affectionately known, embarked on their own rebuilding exercise and have within their ranks two former Bosso players, Allen Gahadzikwa and Masimba Mambare. Mambare has been Bosso’s tormentor since he left the Bulawayo giants in 2014 to join bitter rivals Dynamos and he played a central role in most defeats that DeMbare handed to Amahlolanyama when he played, either scoring or providing assists.
Bosso will be missing the services of centre back, Charlton Siamalonga and striker, Thabo Lunga, who both received knocks.
Lunga failed a late fitness test on Friday ruling him out of the season opener while Siamalonga is out for two weeks and his position is likely to be taken up by steely defender, Tendai Ndlovu.
In other matches to be played today, Shabanie Mine will host Triangle United at Mandava while at the National Sports Stadium in Harare Caps United take on Harare City who made a last minute return to the Premiership following the Bulawayo Mining Company’s decision to relinquish the How Mine franchise.
Today: Highlanders v Black Rhinos (Barbourfields), Shabanie Mine v Triangle United (Mandava), Caps United v Harare City (National Sports Stadium).