The Sunday News
Patrick Chitumba at Ascot Stadium in Gweru
HIGHLANDERS assistant coach Joel Luphahla believes the Bulawayo football giants are still far from the team the technical department wants them to be.
Despite some positive signs in the 0-0 draw against new boys Sheasham in a friendly match at Ascot Stadium yesterday, the former Highlanders winger said the team is still work in progress.
“We are still far away from what we want. From here we take a lot of positives because this is our third week into the pre-season. So we are still trying to make sure that we regroup and continue from where we finished last season,” he said after the game.
Highlanders started with Ariel Sibanda in goals, Achford Faira, Mbongeni Ndlovu, Peter Muduhwa, Andrew Mbeba, Melikhaya Ncube, Darlington Mukuli, Mackinnon Mushore, Stanley Ngala, Lynoth Chikuhwa and Washington Navaya.
Highlanders warming up before taking on Sheasham
The bulk of the starting line-up was made up of players who featured for Amahlolanyama last season, save for former Bulawayo City captain Ncube, who was handed a debut and had a decent outing. Another debutant was Mushore, who is coming from Bosso90 junior side.
Reward Muza, recalled from his loan spell at Bulawayo City replaced Sibanda in goals at the start of the second half.
Also introduced in the second stanza were Ray Lunga, Prince Ndlovu, Rahman Kutsanzira, Godfrey Makaruse, Mthabisi Ncube, Mason Mushore and Gillian Nyathi. Luphahla added that the team will continue promoting juniors from the Bosso90 squad, whom he said needed patience for them to adapt to the coach’s philosophy.
“We promoted a lot of players from the Bosso90 and I still think they need more time for them to understand the dynamics of the coach’s system.”
Meanwhile, Sheasham coach John Nyikadzino was pleased with his side’s performance but bemoaned the team’s lack of potency in front of goals.
Highlanders starting lineup against Sheasham
“I am delighted with the result, although I still feel we should have scored a number of goals. But it is a bit worrisome in the attacking third, it is an area we still have to work on,” he said.
For Highlanders, it was the first friendly match since they started their preparations for the 2023 season on 16 January.
Sheasham on the other hand have been busy with yesterday being their fourth fine tuning fixture.
The Construction Boys lost 1-0 to Dynamos last week, won 1-0 against Black Rhinos before they drew 1-1 with the same opponents with all the friendly matches taking place at Ascot Stadium.
A decent crowd watched yesterday’s match, with some of the Highlanders fans having travelled from Bulawayo and Shurugwi.
