BULAWAYO - Highlanders' pre-season preparations have gone a gear up with the Bulawayo giants yesterday shifting base to Inyati, where they have gone for a week long training camp.
A squad of 18 players made the trip to Nkayi alongside the technical team which is still without head coach Kelvin Kaindu, who is expected in the country early next month.
Mark Mathe and Bekithemba Ndlovu have been taking care of business in Kaindu’s absence alongside goalkeepers coach Peter Nkomo and fitness trainer Majaha Ndlovu.
The 18 players that travelled to Inyati include returnees Joel Ngodzo, Njabulo Nyoni, Welcome Ndiweni and new signings Khumbulani Banda and Valentine Ndaba.
Of the players that were retained from last season there is captain Innocent Mapuranga, his assistant Eric Mudzingwa, Dumisani Ndlovu, Bruce Kangwa, Simon Munawa, Hillary Madzivanyika, Mthulisi Maphosa, Douglas Sibanda, Gabriel Nyoni, Mgcini Sibanda, Ozias Zibande and Cleopas Dube, who spent some time last season on loan to Bulawayo Chiefs.
Players that were conspicuous by their absence from the travelling party include the likes of Lawson Nkomo, Bruce Tshuma, Heritein Masuku and Bheki Ncube.
Sources close to the Bulawayo giants say the above players may be on their way out of the club. Masuku has been spotted training with How Mine.
Goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda is expected to join up with the team after remaining behind to take care of some personal business.
Sibanda’s arrival will take the number of players in the Bosso training camp to 19 and from the remaining 11 slots there will be five that are reserved for junior players with the remainder excepted to be filled by national team players, Milton Ncube and Peter Moyo, and some new signings.
Bosso is understood to be eyeing the Warriors pair of Eric Chipeta and Charles Sibanda.