Josta returns to Bosso

STUNG by losing Masimba Mambare on Monday, Highlanders FC have swooped on Joel "Josta" Ngodzo from FC Platinum as they bolster their squad for the 2014 Premier Soccer League.

Mambare, was out of contract and expected to sign a new deal with Bosso, but opted for bitter rivals Dynamos.

Ngodzo (24) watched yesterday's training session at St Columba's High School and said he would soon be starting training with Bulawayo football giants, a club where he made his name before he was lured by cash-rich FC Platinum in 2011 together with his brother Zephania, who has since joined Chicken Inn.

The midfielder has not been getting game time at FC Platinum under Lloyd Mutasa and had already indicated his intention to return to Bosso.

"I am joining Highlanders and will start training soon," Josta said yesterday at St Columba's.

Josta has reportedly been put on a strict diet to shed weight by Bosso head coach Kelvin Kaindu and is one of the players expected to sign with Bosso together with Charles Sibanda, who has also left FC Platinum and Hwange's Erick Chipeta.

The Bulawayo giants are still engaging the coal miners on Chipeta.

Only three players have so far signed with Bosso and these include midfielder Welcome Ndiweni, Khumbulani Banda and Valentine Ndaba, who was at training yesterday. Highlanders could lose Peter Moyo to Dynamos as the Harare side's officials were reportedly following him closely at the Warriors Chan camp in the last two weeks.

Mambare's move has torched a storm among the Bosso faithfuls who believe Warriors assistant coach Kalisto Pasuwa, Warriors coach Ian Gorowa, a former Dynamos player and goalkeeper's coach Gift Muzadzi (also a former Dynamos goalkeeper), used their influence during the Chan camp to pressurise the player to sign for Dynamos.

Dynamos are reported to have paid just $15 000 to get his signature. Mambare had already been demoted to vice-captain in the Warriors and replaced by Patson Jaure, who was banned for seven matches for attempting to assault a referee last season.

Meanwhile, Highlanders have made an addition to their technical team and have engaged the services of a fitness trainer Majaha Ndlovu, who was previously based in South Africa.

Ndlovu will be with the Bulawayo football giants for the 2014 season as he has signed a one-year contract.

The fitness trainer took the players through a rigorous training exercise at St Columba's yesterday under the watchful eyes of Mark Mathe, Nkomo and former assistant coach Bekithemba "Super" Ndlovu, who is said to be making an official hand-over take-over exercise.

Highlanders chairman Peter Dube confirmed that the club had engaged the services of a fitness trainer to be part of the technical team.

"We have always had a fitness trainer. He is part of our technical team and he will be with us for a year," Dube said.

Ndlovu confirmed that he will be with Highlanders, but referred all questions on his engagement to the Bosso chairman, saying there were still a few nitty-gritties that had to be attended to.

Kaindu, who is still holed up in his native country Zambia is expected to join the team next month in preparation for the 2014 season which starts in March.

Bosso have engaged Vezigama Dlodlo, who was part of the club marshals, as kit manager.

Super and former goalkeepers' coach Tembo Chuma, who were Kaindu's favourites did not renew their contracts.

Highlanders' preparations for the new season got into the second day at St Columba's with no new faces joining training except for new signings Banda and Ndiweni.

Most of the players from last year attended training with a number from the juniors' ranks while notable absentees included top striker Njabulo "Tshiki" Ncube.

Goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya, Milton Ncube and Peter "Rio" Moyo are in South Africa with Warriors for the Chan finals tournament, which starts on Saturday.

Highlanders were joined in training by former Warriors midfielder Joseph Ngwenya, on holiday from the USL Pro League where he plays for Richmond Kickers, a team he joined last April.