Fungai Muderere
HIGHLANDERS veteran goalkeeper Ariel “Mangoye” Sibanda converted his 10th career penalty at Bosso last Saturday when his club played a one-all draw against Black Rhinos in their season opener at National Sports Stadium.
Sibanda, a former Zimbabwe youth international, has reportedly been given responsibility to take penalties at Bulawayo giants 11 times.
He has failed to convert from 12 yards only on one occasion and he says that was in 2015 when his effort was saved by Tafadzwa Dube, then with Harare City, at Barbourfields Stadium.
“I’m actually surprised on the achievement. We have actually seen some strikers that have come (at Highlanders) and failed to score a single goal. While this is not a small achievement for me, I will keep on working hard and credit goes to everyone at Bosso,” said the soft-spoken goalminder soon after his Tuesday gym workout.
The reigning Zimbabwe Goalkeeper of the Year added:
“I usually have penalty take workouts twice a week. I’m glad that at the moment, I have just become a first choice with regards to taking penalties at the club. I think it is just a duty that I will seek to always do well.”
The 30-year-old Sibanda, who has worn no other jersey except the Highlanders strip and has kissed no other club badge except the famous “Siyinqaba” inscribed shield and arrow logo in his decade Premiership career, is heavily tipped to play a big part in Bosso’s 2019 league campaign together with McClive Phiri, Peter Mudhuwa, Prince Dube, Nqobizitha Masuku and Bukhosi Sibanda among other talented players.
Last season, Sibanda made three penalty saves, converting one in a match that Bosso interestingly thumped Harare City 2-0 at Emagumeni.
The ex-Embakwe High School pupil and 2012 Goalkeeper of the Year, had an epic 2018 season, keeping 15 clean sheets from 30 league games for the Bulawayo football giants.
In 2017, Elvis Chipezeze, formerly with Chicken Inn and now with South Africa’s Baroka FC, produced stunning clean sheets from 31 starts.
Meanwhile, Bosso welcome Lloyd Chitembwe’s new-look CAPS United in their Week Two league encounter that is likely to see Bulawayo come to a standstill.
Last weekend, Makekepeke made easy work of Luke Masomere’s Manica Diamonds whom they beat 2-0 at National Sports Stadium and in that regard the Battle of the Cities Part One promises to have all the football thrills and spills.
Chicken Inn will make the trip to Harare for their match against Yadah FC at Rufaro Stadium while Hwange do battle against seemingly resurgent Dynamos.
Bruised Bulawayo Chiefs meet TelOne at Luveve Stadium. FC Platinum entertain Triangle at Mandava Stadium. Erol Akbay’s Ngezi Platinum Stars FC will fight it out against newboys Mushowani Stars at Baobab Stadium.
PSL Week Two Fixtures
Saturday
Ngezi Platinum Stars v Mushowani Stars (Baobab Stadium), Bulawayo Chiefs v TelOne (Luveve Stadium), ZPC Kariba v Herentals (Nyamhunga Stadium), Yadah FC V Chicken Inn (Rufaro), FC Platinum v Triangle (Mandava Stadium).
Sunday
Highlanders v CAPS United (Barbourfields Stadium), Manica Diamonds v Harare City (Gibbo Stadium), Dynamos v Hwange (Rufaro Stadium), Chapungu v Black Rhinos (Mandava Stadium).
