Highlanders name 2013 squad

BULAWAYO giants Highlanders dropped five players from their 2012 list as they managed to beat the Premier Soccer League registration deadline yesterday.

Making way was former Black Mambas defender Atlast Musasa, former junior player Arnold Ndiweni and Tapuwa Kapini's younger brother Takunda Sadiki as well as youngsters, Status Nsingo and Lewis "Rambo" Ncube.

Coming in was former striker Njabulo Ncube, midfielder Hillary Madzivanyika who were with Botswana's Botswana Meat Commission as well as Douglas Sibanda who destroyed Highlanders in their 1-2 loss to Gwanda Ramblers two weeks back.

Replacing Ncube and Nsingo were Lucky Nyoni and dribbling wizard Chidzani Malaba.

Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu however was not at liberty to release his final list nor to confirm the dropped and new players that he has taken aboard.

"I think my squad is ready now but just call me tomorrow (today) morning I will give you the names as I want to confirm with the office a few things first," said Kaindu.

However, Highlanders secretary Andrew Tapela confirmed the developments last night. "We have managed to retain a bulk of our players but obviously some had to make way for our new arrivals as well as the promoted juniors," said Tapela.

Madzivanyika penned a two-year contract, Sibanda will be with Highlanders for the next three years. Tshiki, as Njabulo is also known, signed a one year performance related contract.

During yesterday's training sessions, Sibanda and Madzivanyika were part of the team with Sibanda, despite being a holding midfielder, partnering the lanky Dumisani Fazo Ndlovu in central defence while Madzivanyika was operating in the  midfield and had fierce tackles with Peter Rio Moyo.

Ncube was not at training with sources saying he was finalising his deal with the club at the offices. Also not at yesterday's session was goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda.

Seventeen-year-old Mgcini Sibanda sat it out during yesterday's training but will be part of the Tshilamoya machine that seeks to wrest the league title from their old foes Dynamos this year. Also retained as rookies was ginger haired Bobby Nkomo and Ryan "VP" Howes.

"I want to make it clear that all the released players still belong to Highlanders as they have running contracts so any team interested in their services can always approach us. Our rookies will continue training with us and can be used even in our developmental squad but they too are available since they now have Premiership experience," said Tapela.

Failing to make the grade was the duo of former striker Nqobile Mpala and Thabani Moyo.

Bosso 2013 Squad

1. Masimba Mambare
2. Mthulisi Maphosa
3. Bevan Chikaka
4. Peter Moyo
5. Heritan Masuku
6. Dumisani Ndlovu
7. Bhekimpilo Ncube
8. Douglas Sibanda (Gwanda Ramblers)
9. Munyaradzi Diya
10. Ariel Sibanda
11. Archieford Katsande
12. Chidzani Malaba (Juniors)
13. Bobby Nkomo
14. Mgcini Sibanda
15. Lucky Nyoni (Juniors)
16. Ryan Howes
17. Lawson Nkomo
18. Innocent Mapungara
19. Bruce Tshuma
20. Cleopas Dube
21. Honest Moyo
22. Knox Mutizwa
23. Njabulo Ncube (BMC - Botswana)
24. Simon Munawa
25. Graham Ncube
26. Bruce Kangwa
27. Milton Ncube
28. Eric Mudzingwa
29. Ozias Zibande
30. Hillary Madzivanyika (BMC - Botswana)

DROPPED

1 Atlast Musasa
2 Arnold Ndiweni
3 Status Nsingo
4 Lewis Ncube
5 Takunda Sadiki

FAILED TO IMPRESS

1 Nqobile Mpala
2 Thabani Moyo
3 Patrick Mpofu
4 Fortune Ncube
5 Thembani Masuku