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Lovemore Dube
HIGHLANDERS assistant coach, Madinda Ndlovu, has expressed his happiness at seeing Daniel Msendami, a player he previously coached at Bosso 90, rise to stardom in the African Champions League.
Msendami is currently playing for Jwaneng Galaxy in Botswana and helped the team beat Wydad Athletic Club in the opening round of the group stages of the continental safari in Morocco.
Ndlovu praised Msendami’s skillset and noted that he has an eye for goal, great dribbling skills, and pace, just like the former coach during his playing days.
“I promoted the boy from Bosso 90. I saw a great talent in him. I never doubted that he would go places as he appeared to have what it takes and that Highlanders wing flair that has been the foundation of many successful Bosso teams.
“I am happy for all his successes to date in Botswana. I was happy that yesterday (Saturday) he was in the starting line-up of Jwaneng. It shows he has developed into a marvellous footballer,” said Ndlovu of the winger, whose goal was key to dumping Orlando Pirates out of the tournament last month.
Msendami, who has so far scored six goals in the Batswana Premiership, has been a revelation this season.
He joined the club last year from Highlanders FC before he could justify Ndlovu’s faith in him.
After Ndlovu left for Botswana, Msendami was thrown back into Bosso 90. Disillusioned he had a trial at Bulawayo City who never saw the value in him until he went to Vubachikwe Mine in the ZIFA Central Region where he was tormentor-in-chief of defenders.
He made a brief return to Highlanders before the Batswana came knocking.
Ndlovu paid tribute to junior development coaches for the work they are doing.
“Melusi Mabaleka and the other junior development coaches at the club deserve praise. They are working very hard to identify young talent, develop it starting with basics up to a ready to use product.”
He said the future of the club and football lies in junior development.
“Mabaleka represents the future of the club. I am never shy to go and watch their matches to see if there is another gem to pluck out,” said Ndlovu.
He challenged other elite club coaches to identify young talent.
Premiership coaches in Zimbabwe have been known to rely on ‘already-made stars’.
“They are ready to use because somebody used them when they were young. We all have to look at development of the clubs, teams and individual players. Let us go out there and identify the boys,” said Ndlovu.
Msendami was in the same group of players like Chicken Inn centre-back Vincent Moyo, Archieford Faira and Andrew Mbeba.
“At times it’s painful to see our boys shining elsewhere. Jwaneng is now reaping fruits of what we worked for. The boy was unfortunately not allowed to shine before his team’s own supporters.”
Online Reporter