adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS’ Under-16 coach Gift Lunga Jnr and former skipper Dazzy Kapenya have been earmarked to assist the new Bosso head coach, largely expected to be Dutchman Erol Akbay, for the 2016 season.
The new head coach, who was set to have been unveiled before the end of season, is now set to jet into Bulawayo next week to start work at the Bulawayo giants.
Club sources said the hierarchy had initially settled for the interim technical team of Amini Soma-Phiri and Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu to assist the new man, but Soma-Phiri’s sentiments at the club’s last press conference a fortnight ago, forced them to reconsider.
Soma-Phiri told the media that there was nothing he could learn from an unknown and unproven expatriate coach and he was only prepared to take up a role where he will be respected.
Zulu, who has largely been credited with helping goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda rediscover his form, is likely to be retained as technical advisor in the new set up, according to sources.
Bosso have already announced that Melusi “Mabaleka” Sibanda, who was assistant coach to Soma-Phiri, will be redeployed as head coach of the Highlanders Academy side that won promotion into the Southern Region League.
“The club was convinced that Soma-Phiri was their man for the job of assistant coach, but his utterances forced them to change their mind and instead promote Thebe and also bring Kapenya on board,” said the source.
The source said Soma-Phiri’s comments showed that he was not prepared to work under the new coach.
The duo of Thebe and Kapenya played together in one of the most successful Highlanders’ sides then coached by Rahman Gumbo. Kapenya is the coach of ambitious developmental outfit, First Mobile Sports Academy based in Cowdray Park suburb.
With Highlanders’ chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede recently telling the media that the assistant coach must have “Highlanders’ blood”, Lunga and Kapenya fit the bill perfectly.
Kapenya, nicknamed Walker Texas Ranger during his playing days for his no-nonsense tackling, said he knew nothing about the impending appointment as he had not been approached.
“I know nothing about it, but it’s always an honour to be considered by the club. Highlanders is a big institution and just to be thought of on its own is humbling,” said Kapenya.
Highlanders are expected to start their pre-season training in the second week of January.
The club will have a busy new year with contract negotiations as up to 10 players’ deals will be expiring on Thursday.
Goalkeeper Sibanda and captain Felix Chindungwe have verbally committed their future to the club.
Exciting young midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku, who was on loan from Bantu Rovers, has reportedly been snapped up by ambitious Zvishavane side FC Platinum on a season’s loan.
Obidiah Tarumbwa and Teenage Hadebe were also on a season’s loan from Bantu Rovers. Reserve goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni, Erick Mudzingwa, Mthulisi Maphosa and Webster Chingodza will also be out of contract.
derick.khumalo