• Lancashire lead play-offs mini-league • Chikwaikwai named Soccer Star of the Year • CAPS United survive, Monomotapa claim their prize • Monmomotapa clinch premiership title • Dynamos slash Monomotapa's lead with emphatic win • Monomotapa, Dynamos set up tantalising season finale • Monomotapa get in mood for big party • 2008 Premier Soccer League Fixtures

By Nkanyiso Moyo
Posted to the web: 04/01/2009 18:09:45
MADINDA Ndlovu has been appointed the new Highlanders coach for a third stint at the club.

Ndlovu’s appointment was announced by Highlanders chairman Ernest Sibanda on Saturday night. He replaces Reuben Tsengwa who has been in charge since Methembe Ndlovu was axed midway through the last season in which Highlanders finished in seventh position after being docked three points for the use of suspended Cuthberth Malajila in their 3-1 win over Motor Action in November.

Sibanda said Madinda signed a two-year deal.

The returning Highlanders legend will be assisted by former Mogoditshane Fighters of Botswana coach Philani Mabhena and Peter Nkomo, who has been retained as the second assistant and goalkeepers’ coach.

Sibanda faces a battle to retain the Highlanders chairmanship when members vote for a new executive on February 1.

Sibanda is yet to confirm whether he will seek to extend his term, but he is being challenged by his former treasurer Themba Ndlela and Bulawayo businessman Mandla Moyo.

The nomination court opens on Monday, January 5.

Highlanders would have finished fourth had they not been docked points over the Malajila incident. The player had been suspended after being shown a red card at the end of theior league match against Masvingo, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

The referee’s report from the match said he had tried to show the player a red card for dissent after the final whistle, but Malajila grabbed the red card and walked away. Neither club secretary Horace Ndubiwa who gets weekly updates from the PSL, nor the player, informed the coaching staff of what had occurred.

Ndubiwa faces Andrew Tapela in the February 1 elections.

OUT: Reuben Tsengwa relieved of his duties as Highlanders coach

2008 CBZ Premier Soccer League Top Goal Scorers:

23 GOALS: Evans Chikwaikwai (Njube Sundowns)
16 GOALS: Cuthberth Malajila (Highlanders)
15 GOALS: Edward Sadomba (Dynamos)
11 GOALS: Charles Chiutsa (Monomotapa)
9 GOALS: Douglas Zimbago (Highlanders)
8 GOALS: Daniel Zokoto (Monomotapa)
8 GOALS: Phillip Makanje (Lancashire Steel)
8 GOALS: Norman Maroto (Dynamos)
7 GOALS: Makai Kawashu (Monomotapa)
7 GOALS: Tendai Nyamadzawo (Lengthens)

2008 CBZ Premier Soccer League Final Standings:

TEAM		Played	Won	Drew	Lost	G/F	G/A	Points
1	C - Monomotapa	30	18	6	6	41	28	60
2	Dynamos	30	16	10	4	41	25	58
3	Njube Sundowns	30	15	3	12	42	36	48
4	Shooting Stars	30	12	8	10	37	26	44
5	Lengthens	30	11	8	11	37	41	41
6	Gunners	30	10	10	10	42	39	40
7	Highlanders	30	9	15	6	34	25	39
8	Kiglon	30	9	12	9	31	32	39
9	Underhill	30	9	11	10	38	44	38
10	Eastern Lions	30	9	11	10	24	27	38
11	Motor Action	30	11	4	15	32	42	37
12	CAPS United	30	8	12	10	35	32	36
13	P/O - Lancashire	30	10	6	14	37	45	36
14	R - Chapungu	30	9	7	14	31	32	34
15	R - Masvingo United	30	8	9	13	34	49	33
16*	R - CAPS FC	29	5	10	15	29	40	25
* Docked 3 points for using suspended player v Motor Action

JOIN THE DISCUSSION ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
sports@newzimbabwe.com