Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Shabanie Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Highlanders head coach Kelvin Kaindu yesterday said he was happy with the material he has at his disposal before the start of the 2012 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League in two weeks’ time.
Bosso were held to a goalless draw by Shabanie Mine in a pre-season friendly match at Luveve Stadium on a day that Kaindu tried a number of combinations and introduced several players.
Kaindu said despite failing to register a goal against Shabanie, he was happy with the performance of his boys.
“This is the only game where we have not scored a goal, but the style of play was positive.
“The boys are doing better and getting even better by the day. I believe that I have good players to make up a team. We have not come up with the final squad yet but what I can tell is that we have good players,” Kaindu said after the match.
Striker Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube, who last year left Bosso for Quelaton, acquitted himself well in the match, but was let down in the first half by an otherwise immobile midfield that failed to come up with purposeful build-ups.
In the first half, Kaindu tried out a new combination in the centre that had Simon Munawa as the anchorman, Milton Ncube, Kudzi Machazane and Heritani Masuku, but the last three failed to click and were a big letdown to forwards Ncube and Arnold Ndiweni.
Save for Honest Moyo, who was a bit sloppy in defence, captain of the day Innocent Mapuranga, Tendai Ndlovu and Atlast Musasa, were at ease, shutting out every attack from the visitors.
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The introduction of former FC Platinum midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa in the 64th minute changed the complexion of the game, especially in the centre, as he displayed a much more composed type of play as Highlanders continue to bombard Shabanie.
Maphosa could turn out to be Highlanders’ biggest signing this season after making yet another appearance in the former champions’ colours yesterday.
Maphosa, who has also had a dance with former African champions TP Mazembe of the DRC, made his second appearance in a row. He featured in Kwekwe last week against Chrome Stars.
Indications though are that Maphosa, who also turned out briefly for FC Platinum last season, has already made the grade.
Other former Platinum players looking for deals at the BancABC-sponsored club include Bheki Ncube and Simon Njeleza.
Shabanie Mine coach Luke Masomere was also happy with his new-look outfit that included Tawanda Mareya, recalled from Hwange, had registered him for the Caf Confederation Cup.
Pevington Zimunya, Francis Kanda and Erea Phiri also starred for Shabanie.
“I am really happy. I think we are moving in the right direction. This is probably the final squad and except for a few that are injured, those who played today make up the bulk of the team,” Masomere said.
