HIGHLANDERS midfielder and captain Mthulisi Maphosa is back at training following quick recovery from a knee injury which he picked in July in a 1-1 Premier Soccer League draw against Harare giants Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium.
BY THANDIWE MOYO
Should he make progress during the course of the week, Maphosa could return for their league match against Harare City on Saturday at Rufaro Stadium.
Maphosa has been on and off due to a recurring knee injury which saw him being sidelined for the second time this season.
Earlier in the year, Maphosa was not featuring in the team following another injury only to return on July 27 when they played Dynamos in a match in which he scored Highlanders’ goal with eight minutes of play.
Unfortunately, Maphosa could not finish the match as he misstepped, twisting his knee leading to another lengthy period on the sidelines.
Maphosa, who was training with the rest of the team yesterday at White City Stadium, said he was almost ready to bounce back.
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“I am almost 80-90% fit and it will depend on the coaches if I impress them and whether they want to see me play this weekend,” he said during a short break from their session.
He said: “I can’t say what [former coach Bongani Mafu] said about the injury because no one asked me about it and I do not think that people asked the doctors about the extent of my injury.”
Initial reports were that the former Democratic Republic of Congo’s TP Mazembe player would be sidelined for the rest of the year as the injury was said to be bad.
He said God willing, he still has more time to play football and that he will only retire when the time comes. “I cannot say how long I will play, it is according to God’s will. I will continue playing until my legs cannot carry me,” said Maphosa.
Highlanders recently brought back Cosmas Zulu to the side following the dismissal of Mafu who left the team struggling at number 10.
The Bulawayo side has managed 25 points from 10 games having lost their last three matches, two at home and one away.
Zulu will be assisted by Amin Soma-Phiri and juniors coach Melusi Sibanda.
Of the new coaches, Maphosa said: “Everyone is working hard to impress them. We are all geared to impress. It will take team work for us to lift the team from its current position and we are working towards that.”
Highlanders face Harare City, a team which held them to a one-all draw in May at Barbourfields Stadium with William Manondo scoring for Harare City while Highlanders got theirs courtesy of a penalty by Gabriel Nyoni.
Harare City are fifth on the log with 31 points after they lost their last match against Hwange 1-0 at the Colliery Stadium.
Coached by Taurai Mangwiro and Mkhuphali Masuku, the Harare side will be hoping to earn three points at home. Since joining the league in 2012 Harare City have played two wins, two losses and three draws against Highlanders.
