By Sindiso Dube
Highlanders coach Mandla Mpofu has been impressed by the club’s new signing Washington Navaya, who scored on his debut against Bulawayo Chiefs in last week’s Chibuku Super Cup opening encounter.
Navaya (22) joined Highlanders from ZPC Munyati earlier this month. He will team up with new signing Toto Banda, Ray Lunga, or Godfrey Makaruse upfront.
Navaya’s solitary goal came off a header in the first half of the match.
Addressing the media at the weekly Press conference, Mpofu said Navaya’s future was bright.
“I am happy for him (Navaya), he came to a big institution and it’s not easy to play for Highlanders coming from out of town. Coming in to score on his debut is a morale booster for him,” he said.
“I hope he can continue to score without fans in the stadium so that his confidence can get better before fans come into the stadia. If he can score every week, he will be a deadly striker. Overall, in terms of his performance in training and during the games, I am happy.”
Mpofu said Navaya could fill in the gap created by the departure of Prince Dube, who is now plying his trade in Tanzania.
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“It’s not easy to replace Prince Dube, but as much as he can get goals every week, maybe he can surpass Prince (Dube), but I can’t compare him with Prince. He is still young and can get better with time. Overall, he is a good striker,” he said.
Mpofu hinted on making changes to the squad that played on Sunday when they clash with Chicken Inn this weekend.
“We want to give every eligible player a chance. The team might change on Sunday depending on what happens between today (Thursday) and Sunday,” he said.
Highlanders will play Chicken Inn, who played to a two-nil win against top-flight league returnees Bulawayo City.
The Bulawayo-based giants are without six of their top players, including new signings Josta Ngodzo, Winston Mhango and Roddie Sibanda, who are yet to receive their international transfer certificates from their previous clubs.
Bosso played to a narrow win against bogey side Bulawayo Chiefs on Sunday in their opening match in the re-branded Chibuku Super Cup.
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