HIGHLANDERS striker Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube has been suspended for two weeks by the Bulawayo football club for indiscipline while Charles Sibanda and Joel Ngodzo have been given final warnings following incidents that rocked the team’s camp at a Harare hotel on the eve of the TM Pick ‘n’ Pay final against Dynamos last Saturday.
THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Innocent Mapuranga, who has captained Bosso since taking over from Gilbert Banda in 2011, has been stripped of his armband which has been handed over to goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda.
Highlanders eventually lost the final 4-1, leading to a barrage of complaints from the club’s diehard fans across the country and beyond borders.
On Monday, the club held a review meeting on the match and came hard on the technical team, but it seems the senior players in the team are part of the problems at the club that last won the league title in 2006 and have only beaten Dynamos once in eight years.
Although Bosso chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede would not get into details of the players’ misdemeanours, he confirmed that Ncube would not be available for the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final match against How Mine on Sunday at Hartsfield Stadium and would have his salary garnished while on suspension.
“We have suspended JB (Ncube) for two weeks for indiscipline and part of his salary will be docked during that period. We have also given Charles (Sibanda) and (Joel) Ngodzo written warnings for indiscipline because this has become a trend,” he said without going into detail.
Gumede also confirmed Ariel as the new club skipper.
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“The technical team was advised to change the guard and the club has expressed gratitude to Innocent Mapuranga for sterling job he did for the long time he steered Highlanders through the difficult times.
“Highlanders has been known for its stability and part of that is because of the level-headed leader. Even our sponsors (BancABC) are exceedingly happy with the way the club is run and the captain who played a pivotal role,” said Gumede.
“Ariel is the new captain with immediate effect and we hope he can wear the captaincy with distinction. It is not an easy job and some people would want to create problems for him, but we hope that he will maintain order. We also hope that with the many years that he has spent at the club, he understands the Highlanders philosophy,” said Gumede.
Ariel, who has captained the team before, will take charge when they play against How Mine on Sunday which coach Kelvin Kaindu believes will bring out the best from both teams.
“It is a cup game and a derby where both teams are playing at a ground that is being used as a home venue. How Mine are one of our strongest opponents, but we want to focus on our abilities. If we can try and rejuvenate ourselves and play the game that we play during the league, we can do well,” he said.
Kaindu could not be drawn into commenting on his new captain saying the club would issue a statement.
Without Ncube, Kaindu could make use of new signing Simba Sithole who came in as a substitute in their dismal performance against Dynamos last weekend for Ncube.
Hard-running striker Gabriel Nyoni, new recruit Pasca Manhanga, Charles and Ngodzo could make part of the attacking team and will all be seeking to reinvent themselves before the hard-to-please, but long-suffering fans by winning against How Mine.
