• Dynamos, Highlanders meet in Charity Shield • 2008 Premier Soccer League Fixtures • Dynamos draw CAPS in season opener • Highlanders parade new signings • Zifa extends transfer window to February 29 • Majabvi on trials at SA club • Highlanders unveil 5 new players • 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 were preparing this week for Sunday’s first round first leg African Confederations Cup clash against Ferroviario de Nampula of Mozambique with special focus on their stuttering strike force.

The former league champions drew 1-1 with Dynamos on Sunday in the first leg of the Nestle Zimbabwe Charity Shield at Barbourfields with their goal coming from midfielder Wellington Sibanda.

Technical manager Methembe Ndlovu is praying that plans to acquire Gilbert Zulu from Hwange are concluded before the end of this week to enable the scorer of 12 goals last season to join the club.

Zulu was registered for the Confederations Cup, but Hwange, who were relegated to the Southern Region Division One at the end of last season are dillydallying over his transfer, with 18 days of the transfer window left.

Hwange spokesman Burzil Dube said on Monday: “We are still talking and we hope to finalise everything soon.”

Soon for Hwange may not be too soon for Ndlovu and his Highlanders team who are desperate for goals.

Ndlovu said: “We have to do with what we have if we don’t get him. We have to work on building a solid team from the players that we have and they know the expectations.

“We have a lot of experienced players for this assignment although we would have wanted to have all registered players in.”

Veteran midfielders Mkhuphali Masuku and Richard Choruma are both registered and have started training with the rest of the team after finally sorting out their contracts. Johannes Ngodzo failed a late fitness test on Saturday and missed the Charity Shield.

There will be a battle for places in midfield as newboy Stephen Alumenda is just playing the game of his life as the anchorman and it will not be easy for Masuku to dislodge him. Ngodzo faces Marshall Machazane while Choruma will have to battle it out with Sibanda for a place in the team.

Jacob Muzokomba is a natural midfielder, while Douglas Zimbago, being a striker has not reproduced the kind of magic that has made him a household name at Masvingo.

Washington Arubi returned from his trial period with former African champions Orlando Pirates, and is waiting for them to make contact. Gift Lunga also made a return and Highlanders can finally play with a natural left winger.

Ferroviario are expected in the country on Friday and very little is known about them.

Highlanders would be keen to deny the visitors an away goal ahead of the second leg – and skipper Gilbert Banda, new-boy Herbert Dick and Zephania Ngodzo need to be at their best on Sunday.

The last time Highlanders played against Mozambican opposition was in 2002 when they beat Costa do Sol 1-0 at Barbourfields but lost 2-0 away to bow out in the second round.
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