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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
HOW Mine left back Khumbulani Banda will be doning the famous black and white Highlanders jersey next season, it has been learnt.
The much travelled 24-year-old defender, who has played for five teams in his footballing career, confirmed to Chronicle Sport that his heart and blood has turned black and white.
Banda, one of the defensive pillars at How Mine in the 2013 season, said nothing would stop him from joining his dream club.
He is foregoing a chance to play in the Caf Orange Confederation Cup with How Mine next year.
“I read in the papers and heard from rumours doing the rounds that How Mine off-loaded me and the truth is I was shocked but then Highlanders expressed their desire to have me as their player which is an honour and now I am happy. I think there are a few things that need to be tied up but what I can tell you is that this is a dream come true for me because even when I was playing in the juniors at Railstars, my desire was to play for Bosso,” said Banda.
He was nurtured at Railstars before joining former Premiership side Bantu Rovers in 2009 whom he played for for a season before he was snapped up by Highlanders’ arch rivals Dynamos.
At DeMbare, Banda fought for the leftback position with Augustine Mbara and was part of the Dynamos squad that played in the 2010 edition of the Caf interclub competition. That squad had the likes of former Highlanders goalkeeper Washington Arubi, Cuthbert Malajila, Murape Murape, George Magariro and Thabani Kamusoko among others.
He then packed his bags at the end of the 2010 season and headed to Zvishavane to join the then cash-rich FC Platinum where he penned a three-year deal. The platinum miners released Banda to How Mine this season where he commanded a regular starting place for the better part of the season. An excited Banda said his desire is to win trophies with Highlanders.
“I have gained lots of experience which I believe is irreplaceable and joining a big club like Highlanders which has big ambitions is good for any player. I want to win trophies with Highlanders and make sure that they qualify for Africa,” said Banda.
The coming in of Banda will see Bruce Kangwa, a victim of Soccer Stars of the Year criteria, reverting to his comfortable attacking role.
Highlanders chairman Peter Dube confirmed that they have courted Banda and said the club’s secretary Andrew Tapela is dealing with the recruitment. Tapela is the headmaster at How Mine Primary School.
Dube said unlike in the past when the club faced some challenges in attracting players, the situation is different with a number of experienced footballers wanting to be part of Bosso.
“I think we are not panicking at all with regards to signing of players. What I am saying in a nutshell is that this time around we have a competitive and attractive Highlanders entity that has managed to attract some of the players regarded to be brilliant. We have had lots of enquiries and the secretary is dealing with the matter,” said Dube.
Some of the players reportedly interested in joining Bosso who are in the national team include striker Charles Sibanda whose contract with FC Platinum runs out next Wednesday and Kudakwashe Mahachi who is also being pursued by Dynamos.
Masimba Mambare is said to have been offered a three-year deal by Bosso but Dube could not be drawn into commenting on the matter.
Welcome Ndiweni has also agreed terms to reunite with Highlanders.
“I am happy that abadala agreed to have me back in the squad and I hope all will go well,” said Ndiweni yesterday.
Repeated efforts to get a comment from Tapela were fruitless as his mobile phone was not reachable.
Online Reporter