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Bukhosi Mangena Sports Correspondent
NEWLY promoted Zifa Southern Region Division One outfit Highlanders Academy coach Melusi Sibanda is confident that his charges will fare well in their new league as they intensified their preparations by playing in an invitational tournament in Filabusi this past weekend.

Highlanders were invited by the Godlwayo Football League to play against the area’s select team as part of their preparations for the new season.

The tournament was also meant to give the Godlwayo League’s top performers a platform to gain exposure and probably be handpicked for trials by the Bulawayo giants.

Highlanders Academy was divided into two teams and their A team played exceptionally well against their relatively older opponents to beat the Godlwayo Select A 1-0, with impressive winger Ben Ishmael Musanka grabbing the solitary goal.

Other notable standout performers for the young Bosso outfit included the central defending pairing of Smart Daudi and Nqobizitha Mpofu, as they combined well to thwart their opponents’ sporadic counter attacks.

The B team was not to be outdone as they hammered the Godlwayo Select B 3-0.

“The boys played very well and I’m really impressed with the results. This has been our only major match so far, but the boys put up stellar performances despite some of them playing with each other for the first time,” said Sibanda.

Tournament organiser Nkululeko Tshuma praised Bosso for honouring their promise to play in the rural event, saying they had boosted the Godlwayo League.

“We are really happy to have played against Highlanders because it is what the league was lacking all along. We wanted to play against the best and we are happy that we finally did so and it will go a long way in boosting our confidence levels,” said Tshuma.