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Obadia Tarumbwa

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS FC were last night closing in on the Bantu Rovers trio of striker Obidiah Tarumbwa, midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku and defender Teenage Hadebe as they round up their pre-season signings.Tarumbwa who has had playing stints in Belgium, Cyprus, Kenya and South Africa possesses the experience that the Bosso coach Bongani Mafu is looking for to build around his strikeforce after losing Charles Sibanda to How Mine.

Strikers on Mafu’s list which he submitted to the executive are Ozias Zibande, Gabriel Nyoni and Thomas Chideu. Should he rediscover his yesteryear form and confidence, Tarumbwa will be an asset.

Highlanders have always been interested in the Young Warriors duo of Masuku and Hadebe.

In the event that Bantu Rovers agree to an undisclosed offer made by Highlanders, Hadebe will be competing for a place in central defence with Douglas Sibanda, who he partnered in Morocco when the Young Warriors lost 1-2, Felix Chindungwe and Erick Mudzingwa.

With Hadebe’s arrival imminent, former Highlanders captain Innocent Mapuranga who is on the coach’s optional list might be on his way out of the club.

Bantu Rovers have been hoping to cash-in on Masuku who was also on the radar of How Mine but after his failure to land a deal at FC Platinum, Tshintsha Guluva would want to keep the midfielder in the topflight so that he remains on the spotlight.

Masuku can play as a defensive midfielder or behind the strikers, bringing a healthy headache for Mafu as he has Welcome Ndiweni, Mthulisi Maphosa, Simon Munawa and Edmore Muzanenhamo who are comfortable on either position.

Highlanders’ chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede said they are working round the clock to capture the Bantu Rovers trio.

“We’re relentlessly working on bringing the three Bantu Rovers players on board as per the coach’s recommendations. We believe we’re making steady progress and once we’re through with the negotiations we’ll issue a statement,” Gumede said.

Bantu Rovers general manager Wilbert Sibanda confirmed Highlanders made an official enquiry about the players saying; “It’s true that we’re talking with Highlanders but nothing concrete has come out yet.”