Seven Highlanders players face boot

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
SEVEN Highlanders FC players are set to be kicked out of the club today amid reports that six senior players did not turn up for the team’s first day of pre-season training at Hartsfield Grounds yesterday.

The seven players are likely to be given their letters today but it was not immediately clear last night whether the list will include any of the six.

Goalkeepers Munyaradzi Diya, Njabulo Nyoni and Ariel Sibanda, leftback Bruce Kangwa, midfielder Joel Ngodzo and striker Charles Sibanda were not part of the team that trained under Bongani Mafu for the first time yesterday. Sibanda’s contract though, ran out last month but hopes are still high that he might sign unless an offer from out of the the country comes up. The rest still have running contracts.

While head coach Mafu referred all questions to the club’s chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede, who could not be reached last night, Chronicle Sport is reliably informed that seven players will be given their letters today.

“Kindly get in touch with the chief executive officer, it will really be inhuman on my part to announce such things to the paper before maybe even the club has spoken to them, they offered their services remember,” said Mafu.

Some of the players set to leave are believed to be those who brought the club’s name into disrepute through none football related cases which also had a negative effect on the image of the club’s principal sponsors. Others though, are said to be past their sale by date. Veteran defender and former captain Innocent Mapuranga is said to have survived the chop due to his undoubted commitment to the club and high levels of discipline.

“I think the club will be letting go seven or so players, some have been told verbally but will still be properly guided. Coach Mafu was very clear about the issues of discipline and said people either shape up or ship out,” said the source.

About 36 players turned up yesterday, including those that were shortlisted from Monday’s trials which Mafu said will continue for the rest of the week.