Bosso gets strikers boost

Sport
HIGHLANDERS are on the verge of enlisting the services of strikers Jerry Simfukwe and Habbas Jim, who could take part in the Independence Trophy semi-final.

HIGHLANDERS are on the verge of enlisting the services of strikers Jerry Simfukwe and Habbas Jim, who could take part in the Independence Trophy semi-final against FC Platinum at Barbourfields Stadium (BF) on Sunday.

Habbas-Jim--from-Burundi(left)-and-Jerry-Simfukwe-of-Zambia-during-Highlanders-training-session-at-White-City-Stadium

FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER

Zambian Simfukwe and Jim from Burundi appear to be the tonic for Highlanders’ strike force and club treasurer Jerry Sibanda yesterday said although they had not registered the two yet, they would have no problem getting them into the Bulawayo giants’ books.

Sibanda said they were only waiting for the green light from head coach Kelvin Kaindu, who left for the UK on Wednesday for his ongoing Uefa B Licence course.

“We don’t have any problem with those two. They are free agents and we will register them anytime. We will register one of them or both, but we are only waiting to hear from the coaches,” Sibanda said.

The PSL registration closed on Wednesday and the league has said it will not be registering any player after the deadline except for those who require international transfer clearances or those with documented disputes.

In the absence of Kaindu, assistant coach Mark Mathe will take charge on Sunday against FC Platinum and he said Simfukwe and Jim might be part of the team depending on the game plan for the match.

“We are expecting a tough match against FC Platinum coming from the 2-0 defeat in the friendly match last week. They put up a strong side and our main worry is we have got quite a number of injuries in camp, but we are monitoring the injured players to find out if they could play on Sunday. Simfukwe and Jim might be part of the team depending on our strategy and game plan,” Mathe said.

Peter “Rio” Moyo, Rahman Kutsanzira, Milton Ncube and Erick Mudzingwa are nursing injuries.

While Mathe was in charge in a friendly match on February 23, Bosso beat FC Platinum 1-0 at BF with Kudakwashe Mahachi finding the net in his first game.

Bosso who lost in two pre-season tournaments, falling to Chapungu in the semi-final of the CG Msipa Charity tournament and to Dynamos in the final of the Bob 90 Super Cup, have in camp Charles Sibanda, Valentine Ndaba, Joel “Josta” Ngodzo, Welcome Ndiweni and Felix Chindungwe among the new players that came on board this season.

The Independence Cup will be a chance to redeem themselves for the poor pre-season showing.

FC Platinum have one of the strongest squads this year and have been the most active team in pre-season, having played 10 friendly matches to date and have only lost twice. Head coach Lloyd Mutasa has already bagged the CG Msipa Charity Shield after beating Chapungu 2-0 in the final.

Confident after beating Highlanders 2-0, the platinum miners are plotting to beat the Bulawayo giants for the first time in Bulawayo since they came into the league in 2011.

Lloyd utasa has brought in former Highlanders marksman Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube together with another former Bosso striker Tarisai Rukanda, who played for Shabanie Mine last year.

FC Platinum have Nelson Maziwisa, Michelle Katsvairo, Thabani Kamusoko, Aaron Katebe, with youngsters Marshall Mudehwe, Walter Musona, Wisdom Mutasa, Livingstone Genti and twins Kelvin and Elvis Moyo.