Bulawayo Chiefs look forward to Bosso friendly

BULAWAYO Chiefs head coach Thulani Sibanda says their friendly match against Highlanders scheduled for Luveve Stadium this Sunday will present a perfect test for them ahead of the start of the 2024 season.

Ironically, the two Bulawayo-based teams will meet in Week Two of the 2024 league season according to the fixtures released by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) yesterday.

The match will certainly see both teams try out a number of their new players and different combinations.

Sibanda admits they are still struggling to come up with combinations and Sunday will be a chance to explore some of his ideas for the season.

“We have a completely new squad and it is no surprise that our combinations still need to be worked on. This is where friendly matches of this nature prove to be important because you get an idea of what needs to be done to improve the team.

“I believe we have assembled a squad good enough to compete in the topflight league but we have a long way to go in terms of our combinations,” said Sibanda.

In this window, Bulawayo Chiefs lost the services of their captain Malvin Mkolo, creative midfielder Mthokozisi Msebe and attacker Billy Veremu to Simba Bhora.

Other players that left Chiefs are veteran Danny Phiri, Kim Joe Sibanda and Mandlenkosi Gasela.

The ambitious Amakhosi Amahle side managed to retain enterprising rightback Malvern Hativagoni while defensive midfielder Tavonga Buda joined the club this season.

Hativagoni made his debut for Chiefs last season in their goalless draw against ZPC Kariba in August last year.

The then 20-year-old Hativagoni had to wait a long time to make an impression at the club’s first team and it was a memorable outing and will be hoping to maintain his form going into the 2024 season.

The previous season saw Amakhosi Amahle secure the 13th spot on the log table, a position they aim to improve upon despite financial hurdles faced in recent years, including player strikes over unpaid salaries.

The club’s leadership has expressed unwavering confidence in Sibanda’s ability to lead the team to success. —@innocentskizoe