HARARE CITY START PREPS

Augustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
SEASONED coach David George was yesterday at the Harare City training session as the Castle Lager Premiership side began their preparations for the new season. George left Motor Action, who were relegated at the end of last season, and is joining the Sunshine City Boys’ technical bench this season. Both Harare City coach Bigboy Ma- wiwi and George remained tight-lipped on George’s presence at the session as they referred questions to the club’s executive.

The club began their preparations at Zimbank Sports Club yesterday with most of their players from last season present at the session. A handful of new faces are on trials and Mawiwi said he will need two more days to assess the hopefuls. “We have two groups at training and I worked with the new players who are here for trials.

From the initial assessment, I am happy with some of them and there is good movement off the ball,” said Mawiwi. “So far, I have noticed a few players who should return for training before we make a decision on them, maybe by Wednesday. “The other group has older players and I am happy with their attendance today.

There are a few players like Nathan Ziwini who asked to be excused to finalise one or two things and it was the same with William Manondo.” Mawiwi, who is the 2013 Castle Lager Premiership Coach of the Year, confirmed that his side has captured the signature of Mhleli Sibanda from FC Platinum. “Mhleli is on his way and he should be joining us.

That one is a done deal and we got him from FC Platinum while we expect Talent Chawapiwa to join training as he had gone to the rural areas,” said Mawiwi. Sibanda burst into the limelight at Quelaton during a 2012 Mbada Diamonds Cup first round match against Dynamos at Rufaro.

Mawiwi said he will retain the bulk of his players from last season but hinted that four players could be off-loaded by the end of the week. Former Blue Rangers and Dynamos winger Tineyi Chitora and Knowledge Machona were some of the notable new players at Harare City’s training session yesterday.