The Sunday News
Raymond Jaravaza Sports Correspondent
TWO former Highlanders players take their rivalry to the next level — albeit on the technical bench — when their respective teams Bosso 90 and Bantu Rovers clash in a potentially explosive Zifa Southern Region Division One league fixture at White City Stadium this afternoon. Johannes Ngodzo — who some people
called the midfield maestro, while others named him the master of ball control, distribution and juggling, is arguably one of the best midfielders to emerge from local football — now sits on the technical bench as Bantu Rovers head coach.
At the peak of his career in the early 2000s each time Ngodzo was in possession of the ball, Barbourfields Stadium would reverberate, with fans whistling and shouting all sorts of names including — Tshisa, General, Yoh, and Signature.
His counterpart at Bosso 90 Melusi Sibanda, although he did not enjoy much fame as a player during his stint at his boyhood club Highlanders whom he won four league championships before leaving for Caps United in 2003, later Lancashire in 2007, is a tried and tested coach especially in the junior structures.
This afternoon, the two Bosso sons test their technical acumen in a match that the hosts Bosso 90, a Highlanders FC developmental side, have decided to peg at $1.
The match was initially penciled in for yesterday by the Bosso 90 parent club, but Bosso chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede said they had made a request to Zifa Southern Region to move the match to today to maximise on gate takings especially considering that there are no Premier Soccer League matches. Both coaches have vowed to bring their A game.
“Off the field I’m good friends with Thebe (Gift Lunga Jnr) and Mabaleka (Melusi Sibanda), we shared the same dressing room for over 10 years during our playing days at Highlanders so there is a lot of respect for one another but tomorrow (today) is a different story. Being a derby we expect the game to be tense but we are ready. We have been preparing thoroughly for the match during the week,” said Ngodzo.
One notable player Ngodzo will be keeping an eye on is his former protégé Ray Lunga who now plays for Bosso 90 but the former Warriors midfielder can bank on young brother Zephaniah and Lindelani Ncube to contain the striker.
Bantu Rovers who are sitting on second position will be looking at national Under-20 forward Bukhosi Sibanda and Fortune Nkomazana for goals to close the gap on log leaders Amagagasi with 19 points from seven games.
Bosso 90, a youthful side that is playing Division One football for the first time, are on fifth position with 13 points from six matches.
“The players know each other as both teams are local sides so it’s all about bragging rights on the part of the boys. We are a young side but that does not mean we are underdogs and we are prepared to win the derby,” said Bosso 90 coach Sibanda.
Fixtures
Today: Victoria Falls Tigers v Talen Vision (Vic Falls), Bosso 90 v Bantu Rovers (White City), Black Boots v ZRP Hwange (Fairbridge, 12pm).
