Report by Bayethe Mhlanga
Bulawayo- Following the departure of Madinda Ndlovu who is bound for
cash rich Botswana side Gaborone United, Highlanders FC has officially
appointed Mandla ‘Lulu’ Mpofu as Ndlovu’s replacement.
Lulu served as Madinda’s assisted along with former Bosso skipper
Bekithemba Ndlovu.
Through a press statement released by the club on Wednesday morning,
Lulu will be seconded by Bekithemba Ndlovu whilst Tembo Chuma will be
the goalkeepers coach, Brian Keti will serve as the fitness trainer
and welfare Manager will be Vezigama Dlodlo.
“The appointment shall subsist the end of the 2019 football season
after which a performance review will be done. We wish the coaches and
support staff all the very best in driving and managing the change
process,” read part of the press statement.
Mandla Mpofu will start his tenure on one of the biggest coaching jobs
in the country with a tricky assignment away at Baobab Stadium in
Mhondoro with Ngezi Platinum Stars which is being coached by former
Bosso gaffers Elroy Akbay and Cosmos Tsano Zulu.
Highlanders lost to Ngezi Platinum in their last Baobab clash last
year after a late blunder by McClive Phiri which saw the Platinum side
capitalizing on a counter attack.
After the Ngezi Platinum test, Lulu will face champions FC Platinum at
Barbourfields Stadium. Despite FC Platinum’s uninspiring performance
lately it will be a difficult encounter for Lulu as the man in charge
and trying to steer good results so that the hard to please Bosso fans
maintain confidence in him. After the FC Platinum match Highlanders
will be back on the road for another tricky match against the Luke
Masomere coached Manica Diamonds.
