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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS Football Club’s junior product Daniel Msendami’s good form has seen his stock rising in the Botswana Premier Soccer league and ex-South African champions SuperSport United are the latest club to show interest in the player.
A number of foreign teams have reportedly been following the progress of the former Bosso90 winger who has set the Botswana Premiership alight with top class performances for championship-chasing Jwaneng Galaxy since the beginning of the year.
A leading online sports publication from South Africa said SuperSport United is among “several” DStv Premiership sides that are monitoring Msendami’s progress.
Dubbed as the next Khama Billiat by his coach Morena Ramoreboli, who led South Africa’s Bafana Bafana to Cosafa Cup victory in 2021, Msendami has scored eight goals and registered six assists in 18 games across all competitions this season.
Maritzburg United and South Africa’s Motsepe Foundation Championship side Black Leopards were among the first clubs to show interest in the player in February.
In an earlier interview with this publication, Msendami revealed that his handlers briefed him that aside from Qatar and another one from Tanzania were keen on his services.
“It has been brought to my attention that inquiries have been made about my availability to the club and as I play I know that there are people who are following me week in week out which makes me even work harder.
‘From the briefing I’ve received from the officials, there are a number of teams from South Africa, one in Tanzania and another one in Qatar who want me to join them after the end of the season.
“It will all depend on what they agree with the club and I’ll not worry much about that but keep on playing well and repay Jwaneng Galaxy for the faith they had in me as they took a risk signing me from Division One,” said Msendami.
Should the Highlanders protégé make a big move from Jwaneng Galaxy, his former club Bosso will get a percentage from his transfer. Msendami moved to Botswana on a loan-deal last year in August before Jwaneng Galaxy decided to sign him permanently, in a deal reportedly worth US$12 000. Highlanders inserted a sell-on clause which will see them pocket 30 percent should Msendami be sold to another club.
The Nkulumane-bred dribbling wizard, who attended Sigombe Primary School before proceeding to Ihlathi High School, was spotted by Jwaneng Galaxy scouts while on loan at Central Division One side Vubachikwe of Gwanda.
Meanwhile, Msendami and another former Highlanders player, defensive midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku suffered their first defeat of the season in the Botswana Premiership when their Jwaneng Galaxy went down 2-0 to Gaborone United.
Saturday’s defeat to defending champions meant that Jwaneng Galaxy, who had a 22-match unbeaten run which stretched to last season, had their lead reduced to five points. Jwaneng Galaxy’s last defeat was 1-0 to Gaborone United on 17 May 2022.
They are at the top of the Botswana Premiership table with 50 points from 21 games, with Gaborone United five points behind.
Both Msendami and Masuku started from the bench and couldn’t inspire their side to turn the table on the defending champions, who got their two goals in the first half courtesy of a brace by Thero Setsile.
Ex-Bosso and Hwange forward Cleopas Dube rose from the bench to strike a brace as Sua Flamingoes beat BDF XI 2-1.
Sua Flamingoes is home to five Zimbabwean players, Dube, Dominic Chungwa, Rodi Sibanda, Mcebisi Moyo and Tendai Nyamusi.
The Mandla Mpofu coached Masitaoka bounced back to winning ways, recovering from last week’s 2-1 loss to Nico United as they beat Extension Gunners by a similar score line. Mpofu’s side sits on position five with 38 points.
Orapa United, coached by Taurai Mangwiro who are third on the log with 39 points were held to a 1-1 draw by mid-table Eleven Angels.
Multiple championships winning gaffer Rahman Gumbo led his Morupule Wanderers to a 2-0 victory against Mogoditshane Fighters, a result that took their points tally to 26 after 23 games. Morupule Wanderers moved a place up the ladder to position 11. — @ZililoR
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