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Khumbulani Banda

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
LADY luck has smiled on Highlanders FC leftback Khumbulani Banda who leaves the country today for a two-week trial stint at Maritzburg United in South Africa.Highlanders’ chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede confirmed that Banda will try his luck at the KwaZulu-Natal based club.

“We have given blessings to Khumbulani Banda to go for a two-week trial stint at Maritzburg United and we wish him the best during this period. He is one of the brilliant players in our squad and when the invite for trials came in, we did not hesitate to approve the trials,” Gumede said.

Banda, 24, joined Highlanders at the beginning of the season from How Mine as a cover for Bruce Kangwa and has made two second half league appearances as well as one full cup game against Harare City in the Independence Cup third place playoff.

The medium build Banda replaced Rahman Kutsanzira in the 57th minute during Highlanders’ 4-0 drubbing of Caps United in Week Six and last week he replaced Erick Mudzingwa at Gibbo Stadium as they salvaged a point against Triangle.

A product of the once vibrant Railstars junior policy, Banda has always been on the Highlanders’ substitute bench hoping to grab his opportunity and is excited about the opportunity to play for Steve Kompela-coached Maritzburg United.

“Obviously it feels great to be invited for trials in South Africa and I will work hard as I try to impress the Maritzburg United technical team. I believe in myself and I don’t think Highlanders would have signed me if I was not a good player. I prefer to do the talking on the field and I am happy that the club has given me their blessings,” said Banda.

He was nurtured at Railstars before joining former Premiership side Bantu Rovers in 2009.

Banda only played for Bantu Rovers for a season before he was whisked away by Dynamos.

At DeMbare, Banda fought for the leftback position with Augustine Mbara and was part of the Dynamos squad that played in the 2010 edition of the Caf interclub competition. That squad had the likes of former Highlanders goalkeeper Washington Arubi, Cuthbert Malajila, George Magorimbo and Thabani Kamusoko, among others.

Banda then packed his bags at the end of the 2010 season and headed to Zvishavane to join the then rich FC Platinum after penning a three-year deal. At the beginning of the 2013 season, FC Platinum released Banda to How Mine where he commanded a regular starting place for the better part of the season.

The versatile Banda can also play as an attacking midfielder and is comfortable with winning ground as well as aerial tussles.

Meanwhile, Peter “Rio” Moyo left Highlanders for his new Mpumalanga Black Aces base on Sunday with the club wishing him well.

“Peter Moyo has left the country and we wish him all the best while Milton Ncube should be leaving for Ajax Cape Town before the end of the week as he is supposed to report for duty on Sunday,” said Gumede.

In his farewell message, Moyo thanked Highlanders for catapulting his career to bigger heights and promised to work hard at Mpumalanga Black Aces.

“I have had a great stay at Highlanders and I will miss the environment, especially the supporters, coaches and the leadership who were key to our success last season. I wish Bosso all the best in their endeavour to win trophies and by the grace of God, Highlanders will win the title,” he said.

Moyo started playing for East Rovers juniors when he was at Ingwegwe Primary alongside his classmates Thabani Kamusoko and Tinashe Dube.

The trio later moved to Highlanders juniors and Rio was part of the national Under-17 squad that represented Zimbabwe at the African Youth Championships in Banjul, Gambia, under Madinda Ndlovu, the late Benjamin Moyo and Clayton Munemo.

Moyo later quit football and relocated to South Africa where he stayed for a number of years before coming back to Zimbabwe to revive his career in 2010 and was spotted by Amin Soma-Phiri during a friendly encounter between East Rovers and Big XI who lured him to join the latter who were then campaigning in the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League.

In 2011 Moyo joined Quelaton and helped them win the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League title before being lured by Bosso the following season.