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Fungai Muderere
CONTRARY to word doing rounds suggesting that Highlanders young striker Calvin “Kung Fu Panda” Chigonero went AWOL (absent without official leave) in the build-up to last weekend’s game against Chegutu Pirates, Bosso coach Kelvin Kaindu has dismissed the claims.
The God-fearing Kaindu revealed that the young striker has not been coming to training because he has not been feeling well.
“It’s not true that Panda has been AWOL. Those are lies. The boy has not been feeling well but he is recovering well.
Unfortunately, I cannot disclose the nature of his condition, but we have been in constant touch with him. We expect to see him at today’s (Thursday) training session. He just needs to be strong and continue working extra hard,” said Kaindu.
Chigonero’s mother Lindiwe Khumalo also came to her son’s defence.
“People will always say what they want but I have been with my son at home in Mpopoma where his coach Kelvin Kaindu came and visited him on Tuesday. Calvin has not been feeling well but he is much better now. About two hours ago today (Wednesday) Kaindu even called asking me how he is. He is just a young boy and I think people must not do that to him. I don’t know why people are fond of spreading such bad things. I can vouch that Calvin was never AWOL,” said a seemingly disturbed Khumalo on the other side of the phone.
The 22-year-old Chigonero, who has the potential to do well in Bosso colours, was late last year permanently released to Highlanders by Southern Region Division One side by Talen Vision.
He had initially joined the Bulawayo football giants on loan from Talen Vision where he was one of the top players in the team that finished fourth in the 2022 Southern Region Division One League under their former coach Lizwe Sweswe. At Vision, Chigonero scored a massive 17 goals.
In the previous season, the predatory youngster introduced himself to the Bosso faithful with a brace after coming in as a substitute, when the team won 2-0 against Yadah Stars in a match that was played at National Sports Stadium.
This year, he is part of the Bosso strike force that has Lynoth “Sonjy” Chikuhwa, Reason Sibanda and Brighton “MaNinja” Ncube. Chikuhwa and Ncube have already opened their scoring accounts and they are tied on three goals. On Saturday, Bosso will again pin their hopes on Chikuhwa and Ncube for goals when they take on defending league champions Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab Stadium.
“I think we are all okay and ready to face Ngezi Platinum Stars. We still have a session today. We don’t want to be carried away, as we said at the start of the season that we are in a rebuilding process and we have seen lots of positives,” said Kaindu.
In other matches, Chicken Inn entertain Greenfuel at Luveve Stadium while Bulawayo Chiefs have a date with Premier Soccer League newbies Bikita Minerals at Sakubva Stadium. Gweru based TelOne will take on Yadah Stars at Bata Stadium. Herentals College will do duty against Manica Diamonds at Rufaro Stadium.
On Sunday, Arenel Movers will seek to utilise home advantage when they square off against FC Platinum at Luveve Stadium. Former champions Dynamos will do battle against Simba Bhora at Wadzanai Stadium. Simba Bhora are under the guidance of former DeMbare coach, Tonderai Ndiraya. The Go Buju Go side also managed to lure Dynamos’ last season poster boy Junior Makunike, who has been on top of his game. CAPS United will fight it out against ZPC Kariba at Rufaro Stadium while Chegutu Pirates lock horns with Hwange at Baobab Stadium.
PSL Week Six Fixtures
Saturday
Bikita Minerals v Bulawayo Chiefs (Sakubva), TelOne v Yadah Stars (Bata), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Highlanders (Baobab), Chicken Inn v Greenfuel (Luveve), Herentals v Manica Diamonds (Rufaro)
Sunday
Simba Bhora v Dynamos (Wadzanai), Chegutu Pirates v Hwange (Baobab), CAPS United v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro), Arenel Movers v FC Platinum (Luveve)
Online Reporter