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Trio bids Bosso farewell
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Highlanders FC players Ariel Sibanda, Peter Muduhwa, and Lynoth Chikuhwa received a heartfelt farewell after their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Yadah at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday, marking the end of their contracts with the Bulawayo giants.
The trio remained on the pitch post-match, soaking in the applause from the Bosso supporters as they waved goodbye to the fans who had cheered them on for years. Muduhwa, visibly emotional, struggled to hold back tears as his teammates and fans offered their support. Sibanda, the long-serving club captain, stood by his side, offering a shoulder to lean on.
Bosso head coach Kelvin Kaindu, however, refrained from commenting on the situation after the game, preferring to focus on the match itself. "It's difficult to know whether someone is waving goodbye or trying to send a signal. I'd rather focus on the game we played, which was exciting," Kaindu said.
Sibanda, the longest-serving player at Highlanders, having joined the club in 2008, had hinted back in June that this would likely be his final year at Bosso. The goalkeeper had expressed uncertainty about retiring from football, but it was clear that he had decided to move on from the club.
"I still have to think about it (retiring), but I feel I still have much to give to football. What I can say is that I still have to decide about this year and next year, but I think this is my last year at Highlanders," Sibanda had told NewsDay Sport earlier this year.
Chikuhwa, the Premier Soccer League's top goal scorer for 2024 with 17 goals, is set to leave for Scotland after his contract expires in December, confirming earlier reports. While Sibanda and Muduhwa shared an emotional moment walking off the field together, Chikuhwa took the time to pose for photos with Bosso supporters, making him the last of the trio to leave the pitch.
For coach Kaindu, filling the gaps left by these key players will be a formidable challenge. Muduhwa, who joined the club in 2015, was a mainstay at the back for Bosso and has been one of the club's most consistent performers. After a brief stint with Tanzanian side Simba FC, he returned to Highlanders just six months later. Chikuhwa's departure will also leave a massive void in attack, with his goal-scoring prowess difficult to replace given the scarcity of natural finishers in Zimbabwean football.
Kaindu acknowledged the anticipated departures and hinted that he had already begun planning for the future. "We were anticipating (that), of course, we can't ignore the rumors that are circulating. If you hear those rumors, I think you need to start planning ahead for what is happening. As it is now, nobody has left. Everyone is still part of the team, but this is football. Everybody has an opportunity to go and look for greener pastures," Kaindu said.
In the meantime, Kaindu has begun reshaping his squad, with a new-look back four featuring three players from the Bosso 90 developmental side: left-back Talent Dube, centre-back Mason Mushore, and right-back Mvelo Khoza. The group, along with former Arenel Movers and Hwange centre-back Brian Mlotshwa, showcased determination and resilience against the attacking threats of Khama Billiat and others, signaling that Kaindu is preparing for life after Muduhwa.
Senior players such as Andrew Mbeba and Arthur Ndlovu were left on the bench for the match, with Kaindu opting to rotate his squad in the wake of earlier defensive lapses in Bosso's 4-3 loss to Hwange.
In other Premier Soccer League news, Simba Bhora were crowned PSL champions on Saturday, despite losing to ZPC Kariba at Nyamhumga Stadium. Tonderayi Ndiraya's remarkable achievement in leading Simba Bhora to glory capped an incredible season for the club, which was promoted just last year.
It was a tough weekend for Southern Region football as three teams - Arenel, Hwange, and Bulawayo Chiefs - were relegated from the top flight. Chegutu Pirates managed to survive on the final day with a 2-1 victory over Hwange at Wadzanayi Stadium, while Bikita Minerals narrowly avoided relegation.
The trio remained on the pitch post-match, soaking in the applause from the Bosso supporters as they waved goodbye to the fans who had cheered them on for years. Muduhwa, visibly emotional, struggled to hold back tears as his teammates and fans offered their support. Sibanda, the long-serving club captain, stood by his side, offering a shoulder to lean on.
Bosso head coach Kelvin Kaindu, however, refrained from commenting on the situation after the game, preferring to focus on the match itself. "It's difficult to know whether someone is waving goodbye or trying to send a signal. I'd rather focus on the game we played, which was exciting," Kaindu said.
Sibanda, the longest-serving player at Highlanders, having joined the club in 2008, had hinted back in June that this would likely be his final year at Bosso. The goalkeeper had expressed uncertainty about retiring from football, but it was clear that he had decided to move on from the club.
"I still have to think about it (retiring), but I feel I still have much to give to football. What I can say is that I still have to decide about this year and next year, but I think this is my last year at Highlanders," Sibanda had told NewsDay Sport earlier this year.
Chikuhwa, the Premier Soccer League's top goal scorer for 2024 with 17 goals, is set to leave for Scotland after his contract expires in December, confirming earlier reports. While Sibanda and Muduhwa shared an emotional moment walking off the field together, Chikuhwa took the time to pose for photos with Bosso supporters, making him the last of the trio to leave the pitch.
For coach Kaindu, filling the gaps left by these key players will be a formidable challenge. Muduhwa, who joined the club in 2015, was a mainstay at the back for Bosso and has been one of the club's most consistent performers. After a brief stint with Tanzanian side Simba FC, he returned to Highlanders just six months later. Chikuhwa's departure will also leave a massive void in attack, with his goal-scoring prowess difficult to replace given the scarcity of natural finishers in Zimbabwean football.
Kaindu acknowledged the anticipated departures and hinted that he had already begun planning for the future. "We were anticipating (that), of course, we can't ignore the rumors that are circulating. If you hear those rumors, I think you need to start planning ahead for what is happening. As it is now, nobody has left. Everyone is still part of the team, but this is football. Everybody has an opportunity to go and look for greener pastures," Kaindu said.
In the meantime, Kaindu has begun reshaping his squad, with a new-look back four featuring three players from the Bosso 90 developmental side: left-back Talent Dube, centre-back Mason Mushore, and right-back Mvelo Khoza. The group, along with former Arenel Movers and Hwange centre-back Brian Mlotshwa, showcased determination and resilience against the attacking threats of Khama Billiat and others, signaling that Kaindu is preparing for life after Muduhwa.
Senior players such as Andrew Mbeba and Arthur Ndlovu were left on the bench for the match, with Kaindu opting to rotate his squad in the wake of earlier defensive lapses in Bosso's 4-3 loss to Hwange.
In other Premier Soccer League news, Simba Bhora were crowned PSL champions on Saturday, despite losing to ZPC Kariba at Nyamhumga Stadium. Tonderayi Ndiraya's remarkable achievement in leading Simba Bhora to glory capped an incredible season for the club, which was promoted just last year.
It was a tough weekend for Southern Region football as three teams - Arenel, Hwange, and Bulawayo Chiefs - were relegated from the top flight. Chegutu Pirates managed to survive on the final day with a 2-1 victory over Hwange at Wadzanayi Stadium, while Bikita Minerals narrowly avoided relegation.
Source - newsday
