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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter—
HIGHLANDERS goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda has committed his future to the Bulawayo giants, saying he will renew his contract with the Easycall Cup holders in the new year. Sibanda is one of nine senior Highlanders players, including reserve goalie Njabulo Nyoni, defenders Felix Chindungwe, Webster Chingodza, Erick Mudzingwa and midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa whose contracts expire on December 31.

Striker Obidiah Tarumbwa, midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku and defender Teenage Hadebe were on loan from Southern Region Division One side Bantu Rovers and their deals also run out on December 31, and it is still not clear if they will remain with the Bulawayo giants for the 2016 campaign.

Chingodza and Maphosa were sidelined by injury for most of the second half of the 2015 season and their future with Bosso remains in doubt. Sibanda yesterday assured Bosso fans that he and other players were eager to stay at Tshilamoya, boldly declaring “singaba la (we belong here), we aren’t going anywhere”.

Sibanda said although he will renew his contract with Bosso, he was worried that the club had still not officially opened talks with the players that will become free agents from January 1, 2016. Highlanders closed their offices for the festive season last week and will only re-open for normal business in early January.

Contract negotiations will be the first business the club will conduct soon after re-opening their offices, although there is no guarantee that the Bulawayo giants will retain all the players as some may decide to join other clubs before the new year.

“I will sign (contract) and our supporters mustn’t panic. Highlanders is our team and we’re going nowhere. The other guys whose contracts are also coming to an end are of the same view but it’s only that abadala are yet to call us for talks, otherwise this thing could’ve been sorted out a long time ago,” said Sibanda, who was voted Goalkeeper of the Year in 2012.

Sibanda said he was committed to continuing his career at Highlanders where he broke into the first team ranks in 2009, taking over from Washington Arubi, who left for greener pastures in the South African Premier Soccer League.

Sibanda’s performance took a nose dive at the beginning of the just ended season and only improved from the end of September after the arrival of interim coach Amini Soma-Phiri, assistant coach Melusi “Mabaleka” Sibanda and interim technical advisor Cosmos “Tsano” Zulu following the departure of Bongani Mafu and his entire backroom staff.