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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
NEWLY promoted Premier Soccer League side Bulawayo City became the first club from the southern region to start pre-season training with 30 players attending the session at Barbourfields Stadium on Tuesday.

Experienced footballers such as midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa, whose contract with Highlanders expired at the end of December, former national team defender Gilbert Banda, striker Mkhokheli Dube and attacking midfielder Nkosana Siwela were among the players that trained with the new boys.

Banda’s contract with How Mine was terminated and he is likely to be among two senior players City coach Philani Ncube is said to be after.

Siwela’s deal with Hwange FC also ran out on December 31 and the Luveve-bred midfielder is keen on returning home.

Some of the notable players with PSL experience, who attended the municipal side’s first training session, include former Monomotapa defender Morgan Chingombe, who spent 2015 at Chicken Inn, as well as ex-Bantu Rovers and Quelaton utility player Pride Zireni, who turned out for Bulawayo Chiefs last season.

Ncube was happy with the player turnout and said he would finalise on new recruits next week.

“We already have the core of our 2016 squad as we trimmed the team before the festive break. I’m only looking for two senior players and two Under-20 players, who will compete for first team action. From the session that we held on Tuesday and today, I must say I’m content with the fitness levels of the boys,” said Ncube.

City have already signed Edmore Muzanenhamo, who spent last season on loan at Highlanders from Ntabazinduna Prison, versatile defender Brighton Dube and Mkhokheli Dube, who sealed his move last year.

Their experience together with that of the likes of midfielders Welcome Ndiweni and Xolisani Moyo, striker Qinani Sibanda and veteran goalkeeper Ndodana Sibanda will ensure they are no pushovers in the topflight.

City also has youthful players in striker Trevor Ndlovu, right-back Lewis Ncube, attacking midfielders Humphrey Ncube and Eddie Nkulungo, as well as central midfielder Innocent Kutsanzira, who are capable of driving the new boys’ objective of avoiding relegation after just a season in the topflight.

Former Highlanders’ captain Innocent Mapuranga, who joined City in June last year, has been elevated to the technical team alongside another ex-Bosso defender Bruce Tshuma.

The two former defenders, according to coach Ncube, will understudy him in the first team before being deployed to the juniors.

“The club announced at its awards ceremony in December that it will venture into youth development and as the head coach, I recommended Mapuranga and Tshuma to head that department. During this pre-season, they will be attached to the first team, learning what we do here so that the City style of play cascades to the juniors,” he said.