Bosso rewards Mr Cooper
Highlanders have named Mkhuphali Masuku as their new substantive coach after an impressive run of results at the end of the last season.
The Zimbabwe soccer giants ended speculation on Monday when they announced that Masuku has taken the job on a one year deal and would be joined on the technical team by new manager Jerry Sibanda.
Masuku, who was caretaker coach following the sacking of Mohammed Fathi in September last year, is expected to name his assistant by the end of the week. Railstars head coach Mandla Mpofu has been offered the assistant coach's position.
Sibanda replaced Douglas 'British' Mloyi, while Masuku will also have to hunt for a goalkeepers' coach after Peter 'Captain Oxo' Nkomo reportedly quit for newly promoted FC Platinum (formerly Mimosa Football Club).
Masuku replaced Egyptian Fathi when Highlanders were lying ninth in the Premier Soccer League. He led Highlanders on an 11-match unbeaten run – nine wins and two draws. They finished third behind Dynamos who were pipped to the title by Motor Action.
Meanwhile, Highlanders have announced they are finalising a sponsorship deal with an unnamed Bulawayo company and a deal would be announced by the end of the month. Sources say funders of the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League, Buscod Supermarkets, could be the Bulawayo soccer giants' next sponsor.
Highlanders will start their preparations for the 2011 Premiership next Tuesday with a number of players having indicated they will quit.
Senior players, Bekithemba Ndlovu, Gilbert Banda, Innocent Mapuranga and Under 23 goalkeeper Arial Sibanda will stay at the club while Under 19 coach Ali 'Baba' Dube is expected to promote promising juniors into the senior team.
Meanwhile a Harare news outlet which is at war against Highlanders was not invited to the press conference. It is amazing at the number of negative stories that NewsDay carries with regards to Bosso. The negative reporting has resulted in Bosso snubbing the Harare daily paper. The newspaper's reporters were not invited to the press conference.
NewsDay has in the past reported negatively about anything from Matabeleland which makes some analyst wonder whose interest they are peddling. Analysts that we spoke to supported Bosso's stance of snubbing those who are promoting Dynamos at the expense of the people's team.
