Bosso target Bantu Rovers captain

BANTU Rovers are still deciding whether to release their captain Nqobizitha Masuku to Highlanders as the Bulawayo giants have indicated they are interested in the player.

Highlanders wrote to neighbours Tshintsha Guluva, partly owned by Methembe "Mayor" Ndlovu, requesting for the midfielder.

Bantu Rovers general manager Wilbert Sibanda yesterday confirmed receiving correspondence from Highlanders, but said they were yet to respond.

"We acknowledge receiving a letter from Highlanders with regards Masuku, but we are yet to respond," he said.

"I will stand guided by the technical team to find out if he is in their plans for the 2015 season, but our goal as Bantu Rovers would be to try and find a better opportunity for Masuku outside the country."

Bantu Rovers could be waiting for the return of Ndlovu, who is out of the country, before arriving at a decision on Bosso's request for Masuku.

Masuku has been outside the country before when he held trials with German Bundesliga side Borrusia VFL Mönchengladbach and Belgian outfit Cercle Brugge, which was home to fellow Zimbabweans Honour Gombami and Vusa Nyoni.

The Bantu Rovers skipper turns 23 in June and has been a pillar in midfield with Tafadzwa Kutinyu. He has also been targeted by city neighbours Chicken Inn.

Masuku played for the Under-20 national team and is a member of the Under-23 Young Warriors coached by Kalisto Pasuwa.

In a statement on the Bantu Rovers website, he said: "I want to be a community leader like Peter Ndlovu. He has done a lot in terms of football for his country. He is a role model to many soccer stars."

Masuku was on former coach Kelvin Kaindu's wish list last year.

Another Bantu Rovers player who has been linked with a move to Highlanders is Young Warriors defender Teenage Hadebe.

Former Bantu Rovers associate coach Mandla "Lulu" Mpofu was recently appointed Highlanders assistant coach to Bongani Mafu.

Ndlovu, Bantu Rovers' chief executive officer, is a former Highlanders player and gaffer and was the last coach to win the Premier Soccer League title with Bosso in 2006, beating Dynamos back to back.

Former Bosso players Obadiah Tarumbwa and Zephania Ngodzo, who were at Bantu Rovers last year, tried their luck with Highlanders last week, but they appear to have fallen out of Mafu's favour.

Mafu is targeting younger players for the Bulawayo football giants.