Bosso duo hearing team set

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO lawyer Zibusiso Ncube will head an independent disciplinary tribunal to hear charges against suspended Highlanders’ assistant coach Amini Soma-Phiri and goalkeepers’ coach Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu.

Soma-Phiri and Zulu were suspended with full pay on June 16 after the club leadership felt their personal clashes were negatively impacting the team. They are facing charges of misdemeanour.

Ncube, a former member of the Zifa Southern Region disciplinary tribunal, ex-Highlanders secretary-general Andrew Tapela and Bosso member Innocent Batsani Ncube will hear the case and make recommendations to the club’s executive committee.

Highlanders’ chief executive officer Nhlanhla Dube said a date for the hearing would be communicated to the suspended duo.

“The independent disciplinary committee for the Soma-Phiri and Zulu case has been set. Ncube is a lawyer, providing that legal background, Tapela comes in as someone experienced in football administration, while Batsani is experienced in corporate processes and hearings,” said Dube.

Bosso opted for an independent disciplinary tribunal “for transparency, fairness and natural justice”.

The club is of the view that people that are not part of Highlanders’ structures would not be conflicted since they will be viewing the files for the first time.

Dube said they intend to go through the required processes quickly so that they don’t create further anxiety and lingering questions.

Zulu and Soma-Phiri are said to have engaged in a heated argument that resulted in them exchanging insults in front of players on their way from Mandava after the abandoned match against FC Platinum on May 28.

The final straw was the argument the two had on the bench when Highlanders embarrassingly lost 0-3 to Black Rhinos at Morris Depot in Harare.

Soma-Phiri and Zulu last week submitted their reports to the club following their suspension.

Melusi Sibanda, the club’s developmental side coach, has been assisting head coach Erol Akbay in the absence of the suspended pair.

@ZililoR