Shabanie Mine FC are set to announce their squad for the 2012/13 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season tomorrow ahead of the team’s preparatory match against Highlanders at Luveve Stadium on Sunday.
The PSL said the highly anticipated league would kick-off at the end of this month leaving clubs with just under four weeks to fine-tune their squads.
Shabanie coach Luke Masomere yesterday told NewsDay Sport that he has assembled a strong squad which he thinks will fare better than what they did last season.
The Zvishavane-based team survived relegation on the last day of the season after a 2-0 win over Highlanders.
Although Masomere decided to remain tight-lipped on his squad, sources yesterday said he had been hunting players from lower divisions.
Tonderai Charles, Michael Chigonero and Malvern Senyeka from Division One side Zim Alloys are all rumoured to have joined Shabanie while the club’s junior player Kelvin Gumbura has been promoted to the senior squad.
Pervington Zimunya and Isaac Chapura of relegated Masvingo United are some of the high- profile players that are set to join Masomere.
The announced squad will be promptly put to test when Shabanie Mine lock horns with Highlanders. Masomere said the weekend match would give him insight into where he needs to improve his team before the season start.
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“The match is going to show the mental and physical strength of my players. The match will be a test of character for my players as we prepare for the season. Highlanders are a rejuvenated side according to reports we are getting. They have acquired good players during the transfer window, so it won’t be easy to play them especially when they are in their home town Bulawayo,” said Masomere.
New Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu, who has also been on a recruitment drive and playing friendlies week in week out, will take the match as another chance to fine-tune the squad before the season starts.
The Zambian coach was roped in to try and resuscitate the fortunes of the former giants, who finished last season at an unusual seventh position. “The players have been responding to training very well and they are adjusting. I have been impressed with what I have seen so far. The friendly matches are also assisting us as we are trying new combinations. We have noted positives from our matches because we are getting the goals,” he said.
Highlanders are likely to use the match to assess some of the players who were offloaded by FC Platinum and include midfielders Simon Njeleza and Bhekimpilo Ncube and defender Brighton Dube.
Defensive linkman Mthulisi Maphosa and goalkeeper Tapiwa Marime are reportedly interested in joining Bosso. The Bulawayo giants are also after the signatures of Zambians Nasha Kaaya from Forest Rangers and George Mubita from GHM Academy.
