• Majabvi, Murape and Sadomba get new deals • Highlanders call press conference to unveil Khumalo • Orlando Pirates chase Highlanders goalie • Free State Stars sign CAPS FC's Nkatha • MTL Wanderers say Gumbo's job safe • Khumalo set for new Highlanders role • Murape Murape wins Soccer Star of the Year award • Rhinos, Hwange and Mwana Africa relegated • Relegation battle goes to the wire • Dynamos clinch league and cup double • 2007 Premier Soccer League Fixtures

By Nkanyiso Moyo

HIGHLANDERS chairman Ernest Sibanda perished talk of Willard Khumalo having another dance with the former league champiosn on Tuesday, insisting that reports linking the club to the former Mwana Africa coach were speculation.

Highlanders also unveiled five new players.

Sibanda, meanwhile, confirmed Methembe Ndlovu will be in charge of the Bulawayo club for his third season, although his job title has been changed from head coach to technical manager. He is now also in charge of youth development at the club.

From December, it looked like club legend Khumalo would take over as technical director.

The former Mwana Africa and Lancashire Steel coach had admitted in earlier interviews that he had been approached by his former side and even attended a
meeting with the chairman when MTL Wanderers coach Rahman Gumbo staged his social soccer tournament.

Also at the meeting were several former club greats including Gumbo, Douglas Mloyi, Amin Soma Phiri, Dumisani Nyoni and Jerry Sibanda.

But from Tuesday’s announcements, Khumalo has come out empty handed and it’s a double blow after the other job he had earmarked at relegated Hwange was taken up by Nation Dube.

Khumalo could not be reached for comment.

Said Sibanda: “You (media) were actually lying to the people, you need to get that information from us all the time and not these rumours.”

He added: “We have abolished the position of head coach. Instead we will have Methembe Ndlovu as the technical manager in charge of all teams from the juniors to the senior team.

“Ndlovu will be with us for one year up to 31 December 2008. There is no truth in that he will move to South Africa in August. Emmett Ndlovu will be in charge of welfare.”

Club board of directors chairman Dumisani Sandi also pleaded: “Please when you write some of these things seek information from us. It hurts the image of the club and the individuals concerned.”

Methembe Ndlovu said Rueben Tsengwa and Gift Lunga will be the coaches in then new set-up with Peter Nkomo remaining the goalkeepers’ coach.

“Tsengwa will also be in charge of the Under 13 side, Dumaza Dube (Under 15) and Melusi Sibanda (Under 17). As Lunga will travel with the senior team, Melusi will take care of his Division Two side.

“This is meant to revive the Highlanders junior policy and we hope to produce better players this year, who will rise through the ranks.”

The former champions also confirmed that Washington Arubi, who is also being chased by South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, has agreed to a permanent switch from Lancashire Steel.

The club also unveiled five new players, namely former AmaZulu, Monomotapa and Legia defender Hebert Dick, Lancashire Steel’s Jacob Muzokomba, Stephen Alumenda from Mwana Africa, Irvine Tinarwo from Monomotapa and Kabwe Protasha from Northern Region Division One side, Harare United.

Sibanda refused to reveal details of the new players contracts or how much they spent on their acquisition, save to say the whole package was funded by sponsors Savanna Tobacco.

It was also confirmed that strikers Thabani Moyo, Admire Dzukamanja, Sautso Phiri, midfielder Farai Mujokoro and defender Ricky Sibiya had quit the club after the expiry of their contracts. Sibiya is understood to be in Swaziland.

Highlanders are still in negotiations over the release of goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda and striker Cuthberth Malajila from Chapungu, and midfielder Carrington Gomba and striker Gilbert Zulu from Hwange.

Highlanders have not yet released the list of players for their African Confederations Cup campaign. They started their preparations last Wednesday and take on Ferroviario de Nampula of Mozambique in the first leg at home on February 17 and the return leg is on March 2.

Before that, they will play Dynamos in two matches of the Charity Shield early next month.
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