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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS Football Club midfielder Darlington Mukuli says he is living his dream ever since making his Castle Lager Premier Soccer league debut.
Portuguese coach Baltemar Brito handed the central midfielder his first league start in a home game against Harare City back in June. Bosso went on to win the game 1-0 at Barbourfields Stadium.
Since then, the 22-year old Mukuli’s name has become a regular feature on the Bosso team sheet. A product of the Bosso 90 project, Mukuli had to wait for years to be promoted and he admits the wait was at some point frustrating.
“It’s everyone’s dream to play for Highlanders and it has also been my wish to play for the senior team since joining Bosso 90. It’s true that at one time I was frustrated after playing almost four seasons with Bosso 90,” said Mukuli.
He however said he was grateful to some people who told him to be patient.
“These people told me that there is no use in getting promoted and then sit on the bench for most of the time. They told me it was of no benefit to get promoted if I was not going to play. I took heed of the advice that patience pays and I think that was what helped me,” said Mukuli.
After being promoted Mukuli had to compete with the likes of Adrian Silla, Nqobizitha Masuku and Mason Mushore for a place in the starting lineup and he says he enjoys the healthy competition.
“Every player wants to play in all the matches hence this competition for places which is good not just for our careers but for the team as well. It was easy for me to adapt because I played with most of these guys who are now in the first team, in the juniors,” said Mukuli.
Other young players that made the cut to the first team under Brito include Prince Ndlovu (16), who made a few appearances coming from the bench, Romeo Zimba, Nigel Ncube (21) and Daniel Msendami (20) who is now on loan to Botswana side Jwaneng Galaxy.
Heading into next season, Brito says he wants tactically disciplined players who will be able to take instructions and execute their game plan to perfection as they challenge for the championship next season.
Brito is fully behind Bosso’s philosophy of recruiting youngsters from the development side.
Highlanders whose last championship was in 2006, enjoyed yesteryear success when they promoted players from their junior ranks. — @innocentskizoe
Online Reporter