adminWith head coach Kelvin Kaindu expected in the country on 15 January, player/assistant coach Bekithemba “Super” Ndlovu and goalkeepers’ trainer Tembo Chuma will be in charge of the team’s first few days of training.
“I will only get to know our pre-season timetable probably tomorrow after meeting the executive but if I had my way I would have wanted to start even tomorrow,” said Soma-Phiri in an interview yesterday.
He said early preparations were crucial for the team.
Promoted Quelaton said their pre-season preparations will begin at Mpopoma High School tomorrow.
Highlanders, who lost long-serving skipper Gilbert Banda to big spenders FC Platinum, have declared that this year they will be gunning for the league title, their first in six years after the 2006 triumph under Methembe Ndlovu.
Club chairman Themba Ndlela told members of the media during a Press conference where Kaindu and a new technical team were announced last month that they were going all out for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title and any other cup that will be on the calendar.
Highlanders reached two cup finals — the Independence Cup and the BancABC Sup8r — winning the Uhuru Cup after beating Harare rivals Dynamos 5-4 on penalty shootouts. Bosso lost the BancABC Sup8r by a solitary goal to Motor Action.
The club said they will not have trials like the previous years but will instead promote a number of their junior players who will be blended with seasoned players.
Senior players like Eric Mudzingwa and goalkeeper Arial Sibanda recently agreed terms with the club after their contracts had run out by the end of last month in a move that will definitely settle the nerves of their multitude of supporters across the country.
Besides Banda, Highlanders parted ways with 2011 find Louis Matawu who also joined the Midlanders.
Highlanders managed to retain most of their first team players like Bruce Kangwa, Graham Ncube, Innocent Mapuranga, Bruce Tshuma, Arnold Tshuma, Brighton Choto, youngsters Knox Mutizwa, Honest Moyo,
Mgcini Sibanda and Arnold Ndiweni, among others.
Clubless former defender Brighton Dube who was offloaded by FC Platinum, 2010 Soccer Star of the Year finalist and left-footed utility player Bhekimpilo Ncube, former Hwange player Simon Njeleza are likely to join Highlanders while right back Lawson Nkomo has reportedly been in talks with Gunners. He still has a contract with Highlanders though and if past experiences are anything to go by, the club is better advised to sell him now if he wants to go than watch him go for free.
The 2012 Castle Lager Premiership season is expected to start in mid March.
Online Reporter