Bosso fuming

HIGHLANDERS are fuming over the manner left back Honest Moyo was withdrawn from the national team to go for trials in South Africa.

H-Metro exclusively revealed that the impressive left back's decision to pull out of the national team had not been approved by Highlanders who feel their authority has been undermined.

South African based Edelbert Dinha was reported by The Chronicle as the one spearheading Honest's bid to move to the ABSA Premiership after a good Cosafa tournament won by Zimbabwe.

Yesterday Highlanders chief executive Nhlanhla Dube said they had not been respected in the whole affair and wanted a clear explanation regarding the situation as there was nothing official communicated to them.

Warriors manager Wellington Mpandare on the other hand said the player excused himself saying he needed to be in South Africa during the build-up to the Namibia game on Sunday.

"We don't even know who requested that he be dropped from the national team if he was still in the coaches' plans. As a club we did not at any point request for the player to be released and attend trials.

"If he was in the Warriors plans, we will be very much interested to find out who requested for his release. As a club we take great pride in our players playing for the national team. We feel it is good for our brand and provide the player with a better platform to showcase his talent," said Dube.

In the absence of Honest, the Warriors technical team was forced to make adjustments to the left side where the players had done well in left back with Ocean Mushure playing an advanced position on the same wing. Namibia edged Sunday Chidzambwa's side 1-0.

Talent Chawapiwa, who has since agreed terms with ABSA Premiership side Baroka, took part in that CHAN qualifier awaiting clearance.

"We feel our player would have increased in value had he played against Namibia. We were under the impression that he had been naturally omitted from the team as we received only Prince Dube's request to be part of the national team.

"And if indeed it is true that he was withdrawn without our knowledge, when he had a chance to play for the team, we will be greatly disappointed and would want that clarified," Dube added.

H-Metro understands that it is not only Honest who was tempted to stay behind in SA for trials after the successful Cosafa tournament participation.

Some of the players, however, referred the SA agents to their respective clubs and managers.

FC Platinum had to take charge of Talent's deal to ensure that their interests were met after the deal was almost hijacked in SA.

Defensive midfielder Gerald Takwara is another player believed to have referred interested parties to his club FC Platinum.

"Honest told us he was going to South Africa the week that we were supposed to start camp for CHAN. So he excused himself from the national team," Mpandare said yesterday.

The Warriors have since arrived back from Namibia and it is expected that there will be some changes to the team.

Asked if the player will be reconsidered for the return fixture this weekend, he said: "It will all depend on his availability."