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Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
HIGHLANDERS technical manager Madinda Ndlovu has heaped praise on attacking midfielder, Nigel Makumbe as an “influential player” after he created the two goals that handed Bosso a win against Black Rhinos in their opening tie of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League last Sunday.
Makumbe (21) took on Rhinos defenders on the left flank and dribbled past them as he made his way inside the box before he spotted Godfrey Makaruse who headed the ball in for Bosso’s first goal of the season in the 35th minute.
The Aces Academy-groomed attacking midfielder, who is on loan from FC Platinum, was at hand early in the second half as he set up Gabriel Nyoni who scored the winner for Bosso. Ndlovu said despite his small frame, Makumbe showed he would not be intimidated by big defenders and would take them on any time.
“Nigel is a talented young man but if you look at his body you would think he can be intimidated by the big bodies of the opponents but I can safely say he is one boy who doesn’t look at the size of the opponents and can take on any defender which is what we witnessed when he created the goal that was scored by Godfrey.
“He has shown that he is an influential player as shown by the input he made during that game (against Rhinos),” he said.
Khathazile, as Ndlovu is affectionately known, said he had been worried whether Makumbe would finish the whole game considering he had been coming from an injury, but added he had no doubt of the input the player was going to make.
He said he came in and gelled very well with other players and has proved that he is team player and not focused on himself as he works for the team, creating scoring opportunities. Ndlovu revealed Makumbe is a goal-getter and fans would see that trait of the player emerging in the coming games.
“The fact that he is a team-player has made other players comfortable and welcomed him into the squad, allowing him to settle well,” he said.
Ndlovu said he would not think twice about having Makumbe on a permanent basis as he has proved to be an asset. He said having the player on loan was not by design, it was beyond the club but they would snap him at the first opportunity.
Khathazile revealed he was also impressed by Tendai Ndlovu, who came in for injured Charlton Siamalonga, during Sunday’s game as he was his side’s most solid defender on the day although he felt he was unnecessarily pumping the ball forward.
“Tendai played well. He was the most solid defender for us on the day although I feel there are some areas that he has to improve on like starting play from the back. He was pumping balls to the front a lot but I think in terms of defending principles, he applied them very well,” he said.
Tendai Ndlovu forged a formidable centre back partnership with Peter Mudhuwa last season but Khathazile decided to opt for Siamalonga as the starting central defender in place of Ndlovu.
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