Devine is a bad apple: Johnfat

Highlanders chairman Johnfat Sibanda says the club is willing to release industrious midfielder Devine Mhindirira who he described as “a bad apple”.

Mhindirira, who saw little game time at Bosso last season, has a contract that expires in June.

Last year, the 2022 season Soccer Star of the Year finalist was called for a disciplinary hearing after he missed Bosso’s first three weeks of pre-season training.

Mhindirira was charged for breaching article 5 (a) (d) (g) of his contract;

He was let off the hook because he was still owed his 2019 signing on fee as well as the signing on fee from 2022 when he extended his contract.

Sibanda told the club’s paid up members at their annual general meeting held on Sunday that Mhindirira was no longer in their plans.

The 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season is expected to start on February 24.

“The truth of the matter is that the boy has gone AWOL again just like in the previous season. He always decides to come late for pre-season and as such we have decided to let him go. He is a bad apple. He is not part of our plans and it’s a decision that we have taken and we are not going to change. We are not going back on that,” said Sibanda.

This was amid revelations by the club’s secretary general Morgen Dube that the club was not yet done with players and coaches recruitment.

“We have not yet concluded our players and coaching staff recruitment. We are not fully staffed and you are bound to see many new faces,” said Dube.

Bosso confirmed that they have since parted ways with seven players.

They lost Mbongeni Ndlovu, Brighton Manhire, Elshamar Farasi, Rahman Kutsanzira and Ray Lunga whose contracts expired in December 2023.

They released Stanley Ngala and Washington Navaya who reportedly still had running contracts.

The Bulawayo football giants have so far roped in Brian Ndlovu and Brian Mlotshwa from Adachi and Hwange respectively.

Reason Sibanda joined Bosso from Arenel Movers while Marvin Sibanda signed from United States of America’s Little Rock Rangers FC.
Mvelo Khoza was promoted to the first team from Bosso90.

In their technical team they now have the God fearing Zambian gaffer Kelvin Kaindu who will have Try Ncube and legendary Madinda Ndlovu as his assistants.

Daniel Khumalo retained his goalkeepers coach post. Abraham Mubiwa is still the team’s fitness trainer and just like last season, the team doctor will be Shepherd Khumalo. Loyal Nyika and Vezigama Dlodlo were rehired as the club’s physiotherapist and welfare manager respectively. – @FungaiMuderere.