HIGHLANDERS are targeting Plumtree Chiefs striker Kundishora Chakanyuka as it has emerged he is one of the eight players that head coach Bongani Mafu identified in the week-long trials that ended on Saturday.
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Mafu on Sunday confirmed he had trimmed down the team to just over 30 and had identified eight players from the trials to train with the senior team in pre-season before the squad for the 2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season is announced at the close of the Zifa transfer window period.
A source said among the players that Mafu had identified were Lindelani “Vice” Ncube, Arnold Ndiweni, Ryan Mabhena, Lewis “Rambo” Ncube and Douglas Sibanda.
Ncube was on loan to Division One side Black Boots while Mabhena and Sibanda were at relegated Shabanie Mine.
Bosso will also be training with Chicken Inn out-of-contract midfielder Canaan Nkomo and goalkeeper Liberty Chirava, who could be in line to replace Munyaradzi Diya who has crossed the floor to rivals How Mine.
Bosso are said to be after How Mine’s Godfrey Nguwodzawo who yesterday attended Division One side BCC Golden Stars’ trials at Luveve Stadium.
Edmore Muzanenhamo, who played for How Mine last year on loan from Division One side Ntabazinduna Prison, is one of the players the Bulawayo giants are targeting.
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“I have eight new players and honestly, I don’t know the players, but they are local boys from lower divisions with potential,” Mafu said on Sunday.
“But we have to go to their clubs to check their statuses. I want to replace the experienced players who left. We need to beef up the squad. I am still sticking to the age range of 17 to 28. A player can be 23 and still be suitable as long as they have the correct body size and the right physical attributes.”
They join senior players, goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, Felix Chindungwe, Innocent Mapuranga, Simon Munawa, Erick Mudzingwa, Simba Sithole, Welcome Ndiweni and Gabriel Nyoni.
Nyoni has extended his stay at Bosso for another two years as he completes his studies at the National University of Science and Technology while the Bulawayo giants failed to negotiate with 2014 Castle Lager Golden Boot award winner Charles Sibanda, who is said to be on his way to Power Dynamos in Zambia.
Also part of the squad for the pre-season preparations are King Nadolo, Godfrey Makaruse, Knox Mutizwa, Ozias Zibande and Webster Chingodza.
A new-look Bosso could be in the offing for 2015 as the Bulawayo giants did not renew the contracts of Joel Ngodzo, Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube, Hillary Madzivanyika and Njabulo Nyoni while parting ways with Mthulisi Maphosa, Dumisani Ndlovu and Tapiwa Dephistara. Pasca Manhanga, who was on loan from Triangle, has returned to the Lowveld side.
Maphosa is seeking to play in Division One with Golden Stars while Dephistara is an unlucky talented player, who was never given a chance by then interim coach Mark Mathe when he joined from Chiredzi mid-way through last season.
