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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
OUT of contract Bekithemba “Super” Ndlovu was a surprise feature at Highlanders FC’s first pre-season training camp yesterday, taking command of the session with newly appointed assistant coaches Mark Mathe and Peter “Oxo” Nkomo.Ndlovu’s contract with the Bulawayo giants expired at the end of last year together with that of goalkeepers’ coach Temba Chuma and the club decided to engage Mathe and Nkomo as their respective replacements.
When the Chronicle Sports crew arrived at St Columbus High School’s training ground, the players led by senior players were warming up, running round the field while Mathe, Ndlovu and Nkomo were in the centre setting cones.
After the opening session, the technical team declined to comment and referred questions to the club’s executive.
Highlanders’ chairman Peter Dube was diplomatic in his response about Ndlovu’s presence at the team’s session.
“Bekithemba is a Highlanders boy and we believe that will never change. It must be noted that he was not kicked out and Bosso will always be his home. He is helping out and will be with the team together with Mathe for about two to three weeks. As you may be aware, the head coach is in Zambia and will not be available until early February so what Bekithemba is doing is more of a handover-takeover,” said Dube.
Besides Ndlovu’s surprise appearance, the new faces that attended the opening training session of the year were ex-FC Platinum Welcome Ndiweni and the duo of Khumbulani Banda and Ocean Mpofu who were with How Mine last season.
Unheralded striker Thulani Manzwiwa who was instrumental in Bulawayo Jumbos’ survival in the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League after scoring six goals in the seven matches he played for the army side in the second half of the season and Black Boots’ goalkeeper Mduduzi Nkomo trained with Bosso.
Promoted from Highlanders’ juniors Lucky Nyoni, Happiness Muronzwa, Anthony Nyatsanga and Godfrey Magaruse trained with the senior team for the first time.
Notable absentees at the first session were Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube, Heritein Masuku, Bruce Tshuma, Master Masitara and Tinashe Chipunza.
Last season’s best player at Highlanders Bruce Kangwa who wedded on Saturday is on honeymoon. Ozias Zibande was given an off day as he was coming from a family funeral while Dumisani “Fazo” Ndlovu watched from the sidelines as he is nursing an injury picked towards the end of last season.
Kaindu will definitely be a relieved man on hearing that most of his players who include skipper Innocent Mapuranga, his deputy Erick Mudzingwa, Mthulisi Maphosa, speed merchant Gabriel Nyoni, holding midfielders Simon Munawa and dreadlocked Hillary Madzivanyika, Knox Mutizwa and Ariel Sibanda were present on the opening day.
Bongani Ndlovu