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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku is heading back home after his intended move to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) fell through.

Masuku attended a three-week trial stint that saw him playing three assessment matches at UAE second tier side Al Ramms.

Sources said all looked set for Masuku to complete his move having received “positive reviews” during the trial stint, before receiving bad news on the eve of the start of the team’s preseason.

“Nqo isn’t sulky about the deal failing to materialise when it all looked to be on course. He is coming home and the last three weeks have been a lifetime experience. He’s coming back super recharged and wants to continue serving Highlanders and hoping his performances in the remainder of the season can lead to other opportunities,” said an impeccable source.

Highlanders greatly missed the services of the 29-year-old Masuku in their last three matches.

Bosso were without Masuku when they lost 2-1 away at relegation threatened Whawha, a match he missed as he was serving suspension after accumulating three yellow cards.

Highlanders went on to struggle in their slender 1-0 win against another side fighting relegation, Bulawayo City, with Masuku in the UAE.

In their last game, Bosso were held to a 0-0 draw by Tenax CS FC, a result that denied them a chance to move to position four on the table.

What Highlanders clearly missed in their last three outings was the stability that Masuku brings to their midfield, the guidance he provides as a senior player.

While Masuku, who has five league goals might have missed out on a potential move, his return should be a relief to Highlanders coach Baltemar Brito who was reportedly not keen to have the player on trials at a time when Bosso are working on rising up the table.

Darlington Mukuli held fort in Masuku’s absence, but Bosso lacked the coordination that they showed at the turn of the second half of the season.

Adrian Sill, an equally capable anchor-man, has been pushed to the left side of the midfield, dropping to leftback when wingback Godfrey Makaruse ventures upfront.

Masuku returns to fight for a place in the starting line-up against Mukuli and Mason Mushore who was promoted after featuring in four games for Bosso 90 in the first division having arrived from Golden Eagles of Harare.

Masuku is unlikely to feature in the weekend away league game in Harare where they face tricky Herentals who beat Bulawayo City 1-0 at Barbourfields Stadium.

The midfielder could make a return to the team sheet on the weekend of August 20-21 in the Chibuku Super Cup first round fixture away at Triangle United.

PSL Matchday 24 fixtures
Friday, August 12: Yadah v Whawha (National Sports Stadium)
Saturday, August 13: Cranborne Bullets v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Vengere), Chicken Inn v Harare City (Luveve), Herentals v Highlanders (National Sports Stadium), FC Platinum v Black Rhinos (Mandava)
Sunday: Tenax CS FC v Dynamos (Vengere), Bulawayo Chiefs v ZPC Kariba (Luveve), Triangle United v Manica Diamonds (Gibbo), Caps United v Bulawayo City (National Sports Stadium)
PSL Table
P     W     D     L     F     A     GD     Pts
FC Platinum     23     15     5     3     35     7     28     50
Chicken Inn     23     12     6     5     29     21     8     42
Dynamos     23     12     6     5     25     11     14     42
Manica Diamonds     23     8     11     4     26     18     8     35
Herentals     23     9     8     6     24     21     3     35
Highlanders     23     8     10     5     28     18     10     34
Black Rhinos     23     8     10     5     25     20     5     34
Triangle United     23     9     7     7     27     24     3     34
Ngezi     23     8     9     6     28     16     12     33
Bulawayo Chiefs     23     7     8     8     20     21     -1     29
Yadah     23     6     10     7     17     20     -3     28
Caps United     23     6     8     9     23     30     -7     26
Cranborne Bullets     23     7     4     12     21     32     -11     25
ZPC Kariba     23     5     8     10     10     19     -9     23
Harare City     23     4     10     9     15     20     -5     22
Bulawayo City     23     5     6     12     17     30     -13     21
Tenax CS FC     23     5     6     11     16     37     -21     21
Whawha     23     5     4     14     21     41     -20     19
— @ZililoR