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This will be their second high profile match with a Premier Soccer League side after they played host to Hwange and lost 1-2 last week.

Gwanda Ramblers’ secretary, Bekezela Fuzwayo Maduma confirmed the match which he said was part of their fundraising and preparatory activities ahead of the registration of the team and players next week.

“We are going a gear up with our preparations as we endeavour to bring Premiership football to Gwanda. The team has arranged a friendly match with Highlanders at Pelandaba Stadium this Saturday, the second one in two weeks after Hwange,” said Maduma.

Siwelele SamaJahunda, as the team was known during its hey days became defunct in 1999 due to financial constraints after being relegated to Division Two and Maduma said combined efforts by the Gwanda community has seen the team being revived and prospects of Premier League football in the town now look much brighter.

“Our technical team is being structured but at the moment we are working with Conwell Dube who used to coach AmaZulu. The squad is made up of very talented and committed players who are eager to be part of the crew that will bring top-flight soccer to the Matabeleland South capital,” said Maduma.

Chaired by Madodana Sibanda, a local businessman, Gwanda Ramblers has had players like Nation Dube, now Hwange Football Club head coach, Jerry Sibanda, the Highlanders treasurer and former player and manager, David Chidumo who went on to play for Harare giants Dynamos, Patrick Malunga and 1978 South Zone Soccer Star of the Year finalist Mactavish Dube.

Former AmaZulu and Highlanders player and coach now at Caps United Mkhuphali Masuku had some cameo appearances for the team before its collapse.

Highlanders will use the match to fine tune their blunt strikeforce that has scored just a single goal in 180 minutes of football so far this year.

The strikers fired blanks in the 0-2 loss to crack South African side Mamelodi Sundowns before scoring a single goal in their 1-2 loss to old rivals Dynamos in the Bob 89 Super Cup first leg at Barbourfields Stadium last Sunday.

In both matches, Highlanders got hit by quick first half goals and while they have been quick to organise themselves defensively as evidenced by not conceding any more goals but this has not been complemented by the strikers.

Meanwhile, Hwange have been camped in the Matabeleland South capital for the last two weeks as they prepare for the forthcoming Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.

“The boys have been in Gwanda for almost two weeks now as they try to cement good relations among themselves away from home,” said Hwange secretary Burzil Dube.