HIGHLANDERS will embark on a two-day camp away from home in Victoria Falls where they will play four friendly matches against lower division sides as part of a team-building exercise in preparation for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) season next month.
FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
Head coach Bongani Mafu has named his 30-member squad, shutting out Ghanaian striker Maxwell Marfo, who was briefly in Bulawayo late last week.
Marfo, who has been based in Mozambique, arrived on Thursday.
“We could not take him as we have already secured Oba (Obadiah Tarumbwa),” Mafu said after yesterday’s training session at St Columba’s High School.
“We were running away from the issues of having to deal with international transfer certificates. We already had enough players.”
Marfo has previously played in Swaziland for Moneni Pirates.
The 30-member Bosso squad leaves Bulawayo today and puts up in the resort town before the reserve side take on Sidobe Select.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
On Sunday, the reserve side will take on Red Whippers before facing another newly-promoted Division One side Amagagasi.
They will return to Bulawayo on Monday.
Mafu said he believed he was now ready to get the ball rolling when the season starts and was no longer worried about his defence and strikeforce.
“We are ready in terms of fitness,” he said.
“We can now last a match. As the season goes we should be able to keep improving because the more games you play, the fitter you become. We have a squad of 30 players and we now have got everyone that we needed.
“We are leaving on Friday (today) and coming back on Monday. Friday and Monday are travelling days. The whole idea is to play away, team-build and to see the players away from their normal habitat.”
He added: “Being together away from home is very important for a new team so that they get to know one another. We got to know them and see how they react to being away and try to be a unit for the rest of the season.”
The Highlanders gaffer said there was nothing peculiar about travelling to the resort town as they could have gone anywhere in the country.
“We have friends there willing to accommodate us,” he said.
“We have been invited to Beitbridge too, so if that comes through we will be going there. We are meeting people. We are also trying to get Highlanders back to the people. People are eager to have us in their areas and we will try and work around getting there.
“So, Victoria Falls people organised and invited us. Their invitation was feasible, exciting and tangible, so we took it. If there is anybody in Mutare who could invite us and we can meet the demands for the journey, the food and the accommodation, we don’t mind. We are the whole country’s team and are available to the whole country.”
The travelling squad Goalkeepers: Ariel Sibanda, Njabulo Nyoni, Liberty Chirava
Defenders: Felix Chindungwe, Erick Mudzingwa, Douglas Sibanda, Webster Chingodza, Honest Moyo, Lewis Ncube, Teenage Hadebe
Midfielders: Mthulisi Maphosa, Simon Munawa, Bruce Kangwa, Welcome Ndiweni, Rahman Kutsanzira, Valentine Ndaba, King Nadolo, Knox Mutizwa, Nqobizitha Masuku, Tendai Ngulube, Edmore Muzanenhamo
Strikers: Gabriel Nyoni, Ozias Zibande, Simba Sithole, Obadiah Tarumbwa
Juniors: Godfrey Makaruse, Thomas Chideu, Ishmael Munsaka, Bukhosi Ncube, Thembalethu Mthunzi
