The only Zimbabwe talent to feature in Castle Premier Challenge Cup

FORMER Matshiyakwakhiwe defender Talent Maphosa might be the only Zimbabwe soccer talent to feature in the Castle Premier Challenge Cup semi final second leg when Mbabane Highlanders host city rivals Mbabane Swallows this Sunday at Somhlolo National Stadium.
The first leg a fortnight ago was a hard fought close contest which ended 1-1 after DRC-born Papy Kabamba had thrust the birds into the lead with a curling strike from near the corner flag which eluded the Highlanders keeper at the near post.

Defender Baimba Kamara was to level from a closely tucked header but Zimbabwean soccer lovers will only be interested to know that Maphosa sat out the entire 90 minutes on the bench as sources say hea��s unfit.

The former Young Warriorsa�� defender missed out last season after walking out on Mbabane Swallows before returning to the nest last month.

It was the absence of Mbabane Highlanders Zimbabwean a�?quarteta�? of Ramson Zhuwawo, Anesu Gondo, Tawanda Magorimbo and Takawira Chimwanda which had more questions than answers prompting an inquiry.

Information gathered indicates Chimwanda has been replaced by Baimba and an attempt to deregister him to make way for Gondo came to nothing as transfer and registration rules dona��t permit.

Highlanders had already exhausted their foreign quota of five during the transfer window period which closed last week meaning new registration and deregistration can only be done when the second window opens in January 2017.

However, there was contradicting information surrounding Gondo with his handler Dingani Maduna stating that a recurring injury stopped his registration.

a�?Anesu had a recurring injury which he tried to conceal but it resurfaced and the coaches picked it and a decision will have to be made,a�? said Maduma.

Quizzed on Magorimbo, he said the former Dynamos player had been sent home as Highlanders could not meet the R10 000 monthly salary demand.

a�?Magorimbo is out and no Swazi club will ever be able to pay a player R10 000 monthly salary which he wanted so hea��s back home,a�? said Maduma.

He also added that Ramson Zhuwawo had been granted special leave to sort out family problems back home.

This, therefore, means Maphosa might be the only Zimbabwean to feature in the Mbabane Derby return leg.

Meanwhile, the league games are expected to kick off on 17 September.