KELVIN Kaindu has always said he had plans for midfielder Joel “Josta” Ngodzo. THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
And the former Under-23 international has turned the corner in just two weeks after spending a week without training and in both matches, Highlanders have won their games to remain top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League heading into the mid-season.
On Sunday, Ngodzo displayed his old style of play that endeared him to the Bosso faithfuls three years ago before moving to FC Platinum, with a flawless performance in the 2-1 win over How Mine at Barbourfields.
Last week, he was part of the team that beat Black Rhinos 3-1 at the same venue and seems to be plugging the hole left by Mamelodi Sundowns star Kuda Mahachi.
One of the many in the Ngodzo football family tree that includes Johannes, Zephania and Petros, Josta believes he is slowly regaining his confidence, although he was substituted in the later stages of the game as he is still working on his fitness.
“It gives me confidence to work hard. I will continue to work hard and we will get there. The coach would have seen that I have done my job and that is why I get to be substituted. He also wants to give others a chance to play,” he said.
The bulky player also seems to have a shed a lot of weight and could be any defender’s nightmare when he gets back to his former form.
Ngodzo’s combination with the equally skillful and confident Valentine Ndaba or Welcome Ndiweni and Charles Sibanda seems to have paid off as the Highlanders midfield has become more mobile than in past matches.
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Gabriel Nyoni and Simon Munawa scored the goals which sealed the victory for Highlanders breaking the How Mine jinx which seemed to have befallen the country’s oldest team.
Kaindu on Sunday said he was glad that they do not have to rely on one player to get the goals.
“If you look at last season anyone could score, but we are glad that Gabriel and Charles have scored in the past,” he said.
So far Bosso has scored through goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya, who has found the net three times, Nyoni, Sibanda, Mahachi, Erick Mudzingwa, Knox Mutizwa, Ozias Zibande, Cleopas Dube and Munawa.
Kaindu threw caution to the wind against a tough How Mine side with about 18 minutes before full time when he introduced young King Nadolo for Ngodzo. Seven minutes later Godfrey Makaruse came in for Charles Sibanda.
The Zambian national said this was a chance for young players to showcase that they have the talent to play at the highest level of the game. Nadolo was first introduced to the first team when they played United States of America’s Notré Dame University students a month ago.
He won the admiration of former Bosso coach Bobby Clark.
Highlanders will face their final derby of the first half of the season when they take on Bantu Rovers on Sunday.
Highlanders are also planning a friendly against Mamelodi Sundowns although the date is still to be set.
Bosso chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede confirmed the friendly, but said they were still to set the date.
As it stands the country’s three league giants Highlanders, Dynamos and Caps United lead the standings with just a point separating them.
For Caps United this is a huge feat as they were last in that position or even at the top of the log, even if it was for a few hours, a couple of seasons ago.
The Green Machine’s 2-1 win over Chicken Inn catapulted them to the top spot on Saturday, but went down to third following Bosso and Dynamos 2-1 victories over How Mine and Black Rhinos respectively.
