THE Highlanders technical team is assessing 18-year-old former Prince Edward striker Thomas Chideu who scored the solitary goal when they lost 1-2 to Division One side Black Boots in a training match in Fairbridge on Saturday.
FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
Chideu was among a host of other players that went through a rigorous physical training session at Hillside Dams yesterday under the watchful eyes of head coach Bongani Mafu, his assistant Mandla Mpofu, goalkeepers’ coach Peter Nkomo and juniors’ coach Shepherd Mabaleka.
Chideu is the latest player to join Bosso, but Mafu said yesterday like any other player, he was taking a look at him.
“He is a young player that we are looking at like any other player who is here,” said Mafu indicated he was looking for a striker and a central defender.
Chideu, a former member of the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) Under-20 team which was coached by Bosso juniors coach Dumaza Dube, spent some time in England in 2013 on an exchange programme, He scored 34 goals in 14 matches for Oswestry School, attracting the attention of English Premier League side Sunderland.
Mafu said he was happy with players he had. The coach said he was assessing just over 40 players, among them senior players from last season.
“It’s work in progress,” he said.
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“What I have now is what I could call the core. I am now running through the whole squad to see which players have the capabilities. “I’m no longer running trials, but if any player comes and does well I would take him since I am still looking for a striker and a central defender. I think I can work with what I have at the moment.”
Veteran midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa, given a second chance by the club after he was pardoned for disciplinary issues, trained with the rest of the players yesterday at Hillside Dams.
“Maphosa works hard,” Mafu said.
“I gave him his first Premier Soccer League match 15 years ago at Zimbabwe Saints. He is a good player and a boy that I have coached before.”
Goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni was recalled to replace Munyaradzi Diya who has since joined How Mine. Bosso had three goalkeepers at training — Ariel Sibanda, Nyoni and former Chicken Inn’s Liberty Chirava.
Other new players at the Bulawayo giants include Tendai Ngulube, Xolisani Moyo, Edmore Muzanenhamo and Julius Daudi who join Douglas Sibanda, Ryan Mabhena and Lindelani Ncube, who are not new to the black and white strip.
Former defender Lawson Nkomo, who played for Bantu Rovers last year, also trained with Bosso.
Senior players who are training include Felix Chindungwe, Innocent Mapuranga, Bruce Kangwa, Rahman Kutsanzira, Welcome Ndiweni, Gabriel Nyoni, Valentine Ndaba, Simon Munawa, Simba Sithole, Knox Mutizwa and Ozias Zibande.
Youthful King Nadolo and Godfrey Makaruse were in attendance while Joel Ngodzo, who has reportedly been welcomed back at Bosso, was not present.
About 10 players from the Bosso juniors who play in the Zifa Bulawayo Province Division Two League trained with the seniors.
Erick Mudzingwa was not present at Hillside Dams, but was said to be at a gym.
