Bosso hunt for ’keepers coach

Innocent Kurira

HIGHLANDERS are close to concluding their search for a new goalkeepers coach after conducting interviews for the post on Friday last week.

The position became vacant after the club decided not to renew Daniel Khumalo’s contract at the end of the year.

Among those said to have been interviewed are veteran Peter “Oxo” Nkomo, Tembo “Chokri” Chuma, and Munyaradzi Diya, all of whom have a strong history with the club.

According to sources, the club is likely to name one of these three candidates as the new goalkeepers coach in the coming days. “Interviews were conducted on Friday last week, and the club is happy with the calibre of coaches who turned up and want to assume the role. In the end, it will be down to three: Nkomo, Chuma, and Diya. However, Kaindu has a long working relationship with Chuma, who is the favourite to land the post,” said a source close to the proceedings at the club.

Chuma remains the only goalkeeper’s coach in the country to have produced five Goalkeepers of the Year in three different clubs inside a decade.

His track record is impressive, having coached the following players to win the prestigious award: Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders) in 2012, Munyaradzi Diya (Highlanders) in 2013, Tendai Hove (ZPC Kariba) in 2014, Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders) in 2018, and Wallace Magalane (FC Platinum) in 2022.

This success highlights Chuma’s exceptional ability to nurture talent and elevate goalkeepers to the highest level in the country.

Diya, another strong contender, is also a former Highlanders player, having joined Bosso in 2012. In January 2015, he signed a two-year contract with How Mine Football Club.

Nkomo, who has been working with Adachi in the Zifa Southern Region Division One, has mentored a number of notable goalkeepers including Njabulo Nyoni, Ariel Sibanda, Tapiwa Kapini, Washington Arubi, Tafadzwa Dube, George Chigova, and Energy Murambadoro.

His wealth of experience at both the club and national levels makes him a respected figure in the coaching community.