Tshiki speaks on move

Sport
Njabulo “ Tshiki ” Ncube, who crossed the floor to FC Platinum, says his main aim is to help FC Platinum win pieces of silverware this season

FORMER Highlanders striker Njabulo “ Tshiki ” Ncube, who crossed the floor to FC Platinum, says his main aim is to help FC Platinum win pieces of silverware this season as the Zvishavane-based side start their campaign with the Cephas George Msipa Scholarship Trust charity tournament on Saturday at Mandava Stadium. SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER

FC Platinum will square off with town archrivals Shabanie Mine in the semi-final of the competition while Highlanders will lock horns with Chapungu at Ascot Stadium. The final has been set for Sunday. The tournament which had initially been slated for earlier this month had to be postponed because the pitches were waterlogged.

Ncube was Highlanders’ top goalscorer last season, but did not renew his contract which expired on December 31 last year opting to move to FC Platinum citing financial “advantage”.

He was part of the platinum miners team that lost 0-1 to Highlanders in a preseason friendly match at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

“We need a cup or the league. We need something to leave a mark and as a player, I will do like I did at Highlanders when I won the Mbada. I need to leave something at FC Platinum so that the youngsters will learn something from us,” he said.

Ncube said he was working hard to ensure that he would bang in the goals for FC Platinum when the league starts although he said he was disappointed that he missed a penalty against Bosso on Sunday. “It was a friendly match but I learnt a lot and let’s hope we will improve along the way. I was disappointed on the penalty miss today (Sunday), but I hope to get more goals. Ariel (Sibanda) is my former teammate.

“We were just together at Highlanders in December. I was with him when I was at Highlanders, so he knows how I play and I know how he plays. But I am hoping to correct that,” he said. The charity football tournament is targeted for primary and secondary students as well as those from tertiary institutions.

Funds raised from gatetakings will go to the scholarship while teams that lose on Saturday will get $2 000 each. The runners-up will pocket $3 000 with the winners of the tournament expected to walk away with $5 000 and a trophy.

Meanwhile, Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu who has been attending a Uefa B licencing coaching course in the United Kingdom, is expected to arrive in the country in time for the match against Chapungu.

The four teams will use the tournament to gauge their strengths and weaknesses as they prepare for the 2014 PSL season.