Tshiki spotted at Bosso training

Fungai Muderere Sports Reporter
WHAT would have easily passed for an April Fools Day prank yesterday is infact reality as Njabulo Ncube who quit the club two months ago in pursuit of greener pastures turned up at Highlanders training session at White City Stadium yesterday afternoon.
The move appears to have caught Highlanders by surprise as the striker was in action for his new paymasters FC Platinum at the weekend.

Ncube, FC Platinum’s 2014 signing’s move has set the stage for a bruising legal battle between the two teams.
Sources say the stocky striker had initially shown face at the club’s morning training session before he was called to meet Highlanders treasurer Jerry Sibanda who interestingly was the club’s chief negotiator for a number of players who now belong to the black and white family.

A Chronicle Sports news crew was barred from having a closer view of the “player’s comeback” at the club’s afternoon training session with the club’s fitness trainer Majahawodwa Ndlovu ordering the crew’s vehicle to disappear from the stadium’s vicinity as the powers that be at Bosso would not be happy.

“You should have first called our superiors. They will not be happy with your presence here,” said Ndlovu while Tshiki was getting ready to go through his paces with the rest of the Highlanders squad.

Prior to his entry at White City Stadium and after spotting this reporter the charismatic Ncube, who was Highlanders’ last season top goal scorer, said: “No comment, my brother. Talk to the Highlanders executive members. But ozonda iHighlanders uzonda unina . . .”

A number of Highlanders players who spoke on condition of anonymity said Tshiki had openly told them about his wish to come back to the Bulawayo football giants.

On Sunday, Ncube, who has had playing stints at Railstars, Masvingo United and in Botswana featured in FC Platinum colours in an Independence Cup semi-final match against Highlanders that the former won 6-5 on penalties.

Contacted for comment FC Platinum media liaison officer Chido Chizondo said the information they had was that Ncube was in Bulawayo attending to some family matters.

“We are aware that Njabulo is in Bulawayo where he is attending to some family matters,” said Chizondo.
Ncube signed a one year deal with FC Platinum reportedly worth $8,000.

But last night Highlanders chairman Peter Dube said if the player trained with the club it was an oversight on the part of the technical team. He said they would have to talk to the player and find out his intentions after engaging FC Platinum.

“The correct procedure is he cannot train with us before we have spoken to FC Platinum. We do not want to spoil our relationship with them so we have to deal with the issue in a principled manner,” said Dube.

Highlanders risk PSL sanctions if they allow the boy to train in Bulawayo without permission from his employers.
“As Highlanders we know what has to be done and I hope the coaches did not allow him to train. Maybe he wanted to keep fit and mind you the window is closed now,” said Dube.

It is unlikely Highlanders would keep him training until June on a salary as the transfer-window closed last week.
Following his impressive showing in pre-season matches, it is unlikely that FC Platinum would release Ncube, a striker admired by head coach Lloyd Mutsasa.

He can only join Bosso if he is rendered a free agent.