FELIX Chindungwe is the new Highlanders captain taking over from goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda who was appointed last September after veteran defender Innocent Mapuranga was stripped of the captaincy.
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Chindungwe (32) is not new to that role as he captained Chicken Inn in 2013 and was Warriors’ vice-captain to Partson Jaure at the African Nations Championship tournament last year, appointed by then national team coach Ian Gorowa.
He shared the vice-captaincy with Masimba Mambare.
Highlanders head coach Bongani Mafu yesterday confirmed the dreadlocked central defender who plays as an anchorman, will lead the Bulawayo giants in the 2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign.
He will be deputised by fellow veterans Erick Mudzingwa and Mthulisi Maphosa.
Mafu heaped praises on Chindungwe.
“He (Chindungwe) is a decent and good man with leadership attributes. He expresses himself very clearly to young players. Chindungwe is level-headed and has seen it all and has been captain at Chicken Inn before. Mudzingwa is a long-standing Highlanders veteran and Mthulisi has unbelievable influence on players on the field of play,” Mafu said, confirming Chindungwe’s captaincy yesterday.
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Last year in November, Highlanders chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede heaped praises on Chindungwe when he said they were having a serious look at the team in preparation for 2015.
“There is going to be assessment of which players we will retain in the coming season. A decision will be made on players who we will reluctantly disengage.
It is work in progress. Contracts are ending (December 31 2014) and there will be a complete re-examination of the entire team. We want a sturdy and stable team.
We want a complete team change, so that will nullify the significance of negotiations and extensions (of contracts). We will have a new team that will revolve around Felix Chindungwe.
He will be the fulcrum of our team because he has shown a lot of commitment. He has done well. He has shown a lot of passion and zeal typical of Highlanders,” Gumede said at the end of last season.
Bosso recently parted ways with former Chicken Inn goalkeeper Liberty Chirava, reportedly over disciplinary issues and have since signed ex-Bantu Rovers’ shotstopper Takunda Mutanga on a permanent transfer.
Mafu confirmed that defender Lewis “Rambo” Ncube was dropped. Bosso await the reverse international transfer certificate for left-back Julius Daudi from the Namibia Football Association after receiving clearance from his former club FNB XI.
“Daudi is here. We have received the club-to-club clearance from his former club and Lewis Ncube left sometime back and we are planning to loan him to Bulawayo City who approached us regarding the player a long time ago,” Mafu said. Bosso squad Goalkeepers: Ariel Sibanda, Njabulo Nyoni, Takunda Mutanga
Defenders: Felix Chindungwe, Erick Mudzingwa, Douglas Sibanda, Webster Chingodza, Honest Moyo, Teenage Hadebe, Julius Daudi
Midfielders: Mthulisi Maphosa, Rahman Kutsanzira, Simon Munawa, Bruce Kangwa, Welcome Ndiweni, Tendai Ngulube, Knox Mutizwa, King Nadolo, Valentine Ndaba, Nqobizitha Masuku, Edmore Muzanenhamo
Strikers: Gabriel Nyoni, Ozias Zibande, Simba Sithole, Obadiah Tarumbwa
Juniors: Godfrey Makaruse, Thomas Chideu, Bukhosi Ncube, Ishmael Munsaka, Thembalethu Mthunzi
