Bosso finalise squad Bruce Kangwa (left) and Welcome Ndiweni (ginger hair) lead the rest of the players in their warm down after yesterday’s training session at Hartsfield Grounds. (Picture by Nkosizile Ndlovu)
Bruce Kangwa (left) and Welcome Ndiweni (ginger hair) lead the rest of the players in their warm down after yesterday’s training session at Hartsfield Grounds. (Picture by Nkosizile Ndlovu)

Bruce Kangwa (left) and Welcome Ndiweni (ginger hair) lead the rest of the players in their warm down after yesterday’s training session at Hartsfield Grounds. (Picture by Nkosizile Ndlovu)

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter—
HIGHLANDERS FC have come up with their final 42-member squad that will be further trimmed to 30 players to be registered for the 2015 Castle Lager Premiership season, head coach Bongani Mafu said yesterday. The other 12 players, Mafu said, will be loaned out to local teams in Bulawayo so that they get enough game time.

“The players you see here are no longer on trials, they’re the guys that we’ve chosen to be part of Highlanders,” said Mafu who was oozing with confidence.

Among the players that made it into the final 42 are goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni, leftback Julius Daudi, returnees Douglas Sibanda, Ryan Mabhena and Arnold Ndiweni who were loaned out to Shabanie Mine and How Mine respectively, Plumtree Chiefs’ Lindelani ‘Vice’ Ncube, Lewis ‘Rambo’ Ncube, Edmore Muzanenhamo, Warren Dube, Ashton Mhlanga and Tendai Ngulube.

“We believe we’re almost there and if there could be a match tomorrow, we’ll be able to field a team. Everything is really under control but I must also emphasise that I’m not to be rushed to finalise things,” said the Uefa B licence badge holder.

Mthulisi Maphosa might still make it into the final squad although coach Mafu said that his fate will be decided by the disciplinary committee.

“Maphosa is facing a disciplinary hearing and depending on the outcome of the case, he might be part of our squad because I never chased him away from the club. We however don’t want to make a big issue out of this because he’s just like any other Highlanders player to me. If cleared by the disciplinary committee he’ll definitely be part of us,” he said.

Mafu, who is assisted by another tactician, Mandla Mpofu, expressed satisfaction with his strikeforce’s progress after his outcry last week that the department was a bit of a worry to him.

“It’s competitive enough now,” he said.

During yesterday’s training session at Hartsfield Grounds, young Mgcini Sibanda was in terrific form and looks likely to be Highlanders’ gunman this season while Douglas could be an automatic replacement for the offloaded Dumisani Fazo Ndlovu in central defence.

He has the body and skill.

Other possible centreback options are veteran Innocent Mapuranga, Lindelani or Felix Chindungwe who was the imposing Douglas Sibanda’s defence partner yesterday.

Meanwhile, there are plans to have a friendly match on Saturday where the new signings will be paraded.

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