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Innocent Kurira, [email protected]

ON song Highlanders striker Brighton “MaNinja” Ncube (25) has set himself a target of 10 goals in his maiden season in black and white colours.

The striker has scored three goals in five appearances this season. 

This is the same striker who was found to be a surplus to requirement at Chicken Inn where he scored one goal last season though he made a few cameo roles from the bench.

Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu says he believes in the player’s capabilities and is not surprised Ncube has found his scoring boots.

“I talked to him the first time I saw him to give him confidence and tell him to believe in his abilities, identify his potential, and maybe work on his weaknesses. We have seen what he can do and we don’t want him to lose focus. 

“He has started well with three goals so far. He could have scored more. We are still working with him through individual sessions that we do. It’s still a work in progress and I still feel he can do better,” said Kaindu.

The coach says he has a clean bill of health ahead of the Ngezi Platinum clash. 

“I think we are all okay in terms of injury management. From the last game we played, everyone is available for selection. We don’t want to get carried away with the results that we got. We are in the building process. It’s just in the rebuilding process we have seen several positives. We don’t want to shift our focus but take each game as it comes. It’s tricky, they are the defending champions, they have the pedigree and all the resources they need. We have respect for them, it’s not going to be easy,” said Kaindu.

In-form Ncube says he is pleased with the start he has had to the season.

“I am excited to be getting the goals and I hope to continue scoring. The club has demanding fans which gives one pressure but what I need to do is to be calm and score more goals. I have set myself a target of 10 goals for my first season,” said Ncube.

MaNinja is a Highlanders product, who left the Bosso juniors when he was in the Under-18 side after being offered a chance of playing in the PSL by Bantu Rovers.

Ncube was just a 17-year-old rookie when he made his Castle Lager Premier Soccer League debut for Bantu Rovers in the 2017 season.

— @innocentskizoe