Chronicle EditorInnocent Kurira, [email protected]
HIGHLANDERS coach Kelvin Kaindu has expressed concern over goalkeeper Raphael Pitisi’s injury during their 3-0 victory against Greenfuel in the Chibuku Super Cup first-round at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
Kaindu believes the injury could keep Pitisi on the side-lines for an extended period.
The incident occurred at the 20th-minute mark when Pitisi went down, writhing in pain without any contact after awkwardly landing following an aerial challenge to deal with a corner kick.
Consequently, the Bosso captain of the day had to be replaced by veteran goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda.
Sibanda’s introduction was met with applause from the Bosso fans, as he has been on the bench for the better part of the season.
Kaindu hopes the injury is not severe and expressed uncertainty about how long Pitisi will be unavailable.
“It looked a bit simple when he went on the floor. We didn’t even know we had to make a substitution, but at half-time, you could see he was in pain.
“The doctors worked on him, and we hope it’s not too bad, but with the way he was in pain and screaming at half-time, I don’t know how long he is going to be out. However, he’s a fighter, and we need everyone available to give us options in terms of selection,” said Kaindu.
This season, Kaindu has used all his three goalkeepers, including Pitisi, Reward Muza and club captain Sibanda.
With Pitisi out for some time, it remains to be seen if Sibanda will reclaim his spot as the number one goalkeeper or Kaindu will continue to rotate his options.
Pitisi made his Premiership debut as a 17-year-old in 2019 for TelOne FC.
He was part of Zimbabwe’s national Under-20 squad that participated in the 2020 Cosafa tournament.
Pitisi played alongside notable Zimbabwean players, including Bulawayo Chiefs midfielder Lexington Mujokoro, Chicken Inn forward Munashe Pini, Dynamos’ Bill Antonio, and Kelvin Mangiza of FC Platinum.
Before joining Highlanders, Pitisi played for Triangle United as the backup to first-choice goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya. The young goalkeeper also had a brief stint in South Africa with Vodacom League side Ollesdas, on loan from the then Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC, which rebranded to Marumo Gallants in the South African Premier Soccer League. – @innocentskizoe.
Online Reporter