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Bosso offload old horses

Sport
HIGHLANDERS

HIGHLANDERS have offloaded attacking midfielder Bukhosi “Zakhu” Sibanda with indications pointing to more senior players likely to be shown the exit door ahead of next season.

Sibanda made waves at Bantu Rovers before he moved to South Africa for a short stint at Ubuntu Cape Town FC and returned home to join Highlanders in 2019.

But he has struggled at Highlanders, especially in the 2021/2022 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season where got very little game time under coach Baltemar Brito.

His contract expires on December 31 and he will not be offered a new deal.

Highlanders yesterday confirmed Sibanda’s exit with impeccable sources saying the axe will fall on a number of senior players to make way for youthful players as is desired by the Portuguese gaffer.

“The club would like to announce that Bukhosi 'Zakhu' Sibanda will not be part of the squad next season following a mutual agreement against renewing his contract which expires at the end of the year. Zakhu joined the club in 2019. We thank him for his five years of discipline, team spirit, hard work, and dedication. We wish him well in his next endeavors.” Highlanders said.

After announcing Sibanda's exit, Highlanders confirmed the promotion of defender Gillian Nyathi from their second-tier side.

Just before the end of the season, Brito confirmed that he will be promoting some players from the Highlanders’ development side, Bosso 90, to blend with some experienced players.

Brito said Highlanders will be fighting for the league title next year.

Under the Portuguese national, Highlanders promoted 16-year-old Prince Ndlovu, Nigel Ncube, Daniel Msendami and Mason Mushore with the coach showing Joel Ngodzo the exit door.

Msendami (22) was loaned to Botswana side Jwaneng Galaxy and is likely to be recalled while Mushore (20) had joined Bosso 90 from Harare side Golden Eagles.

Defender Ncube is 21 years old and the quartet joined Darlington Mukuli and Muziwakhe Dlamini in the senior team.

Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year finalist Devine Mhindirira, skipper Ariel Sibanda, his deputies Peter Muduhwa and Nqobizitha Masuku, Godfrey Makaruse and defenders Mbongeni Ndlovu and Andrew Mbeba this year extended their stay at Highlanders.

Some of the established players at Highlanders include Toto Banda, Pritchard Mpelele, Stanley Ngala, Crispen Ncube, Rahman Kutsanzira, Washington Navaya, Gift Lunga and Andrew Tandi with the latter on the sidelines for the better part of the season due to injury.

Tandi has, however, recovered.

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