By Sikhumbuzo Moyo and Ricky Zililo
BULAWAYO – Exactly 19 years after parting ways with Highlanders, veteran coach Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu has bounced back at the Bulawayo giants as the technical advisor to the bench led by caretaker coach Mark Mathe.
His appointment is with immediate effect and will be part of the coaching structure that will lead Highlanders in their Chibuku Super Cup semi- final against Harare City at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.
Announcing the appointment of Zulu at a brief Press conference at the club offices at 50 Robert Mugabe Way yesterday, Highlanders chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede said Tsano will also be overally in charge of the team’s disciplinary issues as well.
He is a known disciplinarian.
“We’re concerned about the challenges that the team is facing and that’s why as Highlanders we decided to bring in Tsano (Zulu) to come and assist in the technical team as soon as possible. He’s coming in to mop up the last five games because the whole system needs a shake up. Zulu’s a no-nonsense person and will be firm in terms of discipline,” said Gumede.
“If they’re professionals (players), they must know that their performance determines whether or not we retain sponsorship. Sponsors don’t want their names to be dragged in dirt like these reports of players smoking mbanje or being convicted of assault or taking other intoxicating substances,” he said.
Highlanders were on Sunday whacked 4-0 by Caps United in a league match at the National Sports Stadium and the defeat exposed stand-in coach Mathe’s technical shortcomings.
Highlanders now find themselves 10 points behind old nemesis Dynamos with just five league matches left before the season comes to an end.
There have been concerns about most of Highlanders players’ disciplinary record of late with some of them being spotted in bars on the eve of matches.
“Tsano’s marriage with Highlanders started way back in 1981 when he joined as a player before rising through the ranks.
“My relationship with Highlanders dates back to 1981 when I joined them as a player, I was then appointed an assistant coach before taking up the post of technical manager until 1995,” said an elated “Tsano”.
He said he responded to the call without hesitation as he is what he is because of Highlanders.
“I won everything with Highlanders and they also sent me for an advanced coaching course where I was attached to Coventry City (Peter Ndlovu’s former club). Who am I then to refuse when a club as big as Highlanders asks for my assistance,” said Zulu.
Meanwhile, Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said they decided to have the $500,000 Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals in Harare after deliberations with the sponsors and the official broadcaster, SuperSport.
All semi-finals will be played at Rufaro Stadium with FC Platinum locking horns with Black Rhinos on Saturday while Highlanders will play host to Harare City at the same venue on Sunday.
FC Platinum and Highlanders will be home-away in the capital after being drawn first for the last four.
“In deciding the venue for the semi-final we consulted the sponsors and the broadcaster (SuperSport). The broadcaster indicated to us that at the moment they’re unable to go outside Harare because the budget set aside to cover the Premiership games has been exhausted. That’s why you saw that last weekend there were no PSL games screened because of the issue,” Ndebele said.
Highlanders who feel hard done by the development to play the cup game away said they will register their displeasure with the league.
“We incur lots of expenses when travelling away and yet we get nothing from the gatetakings to cover these expenses. I’ve been instructed by my bosses to lodge a complaint. We’re however not undermining the sponsor but in future considerations need to be made so that we recoup our expenses. As it is we’ve a budget of $4,500 to travel to Harare that’s for transport and accommodation yet we stand to take home far less than that from the gates,” Gumede said.
“We played a number of tournaments away from home this season as part of spreading the game to other corners of the country and we thought this was the time to be afforded home advantage.”
PSL officials are believed to be making more from these matches compared to what clubs are earning from the turnstiles.
Highlanders were home-away in the first round of the Chibuku Super Cup against Shabanie Mine who they beat 1-0 at Ascot Stadium in Gweru courtesy of a Pasca Manhanga strike.
Bosso were made to play in Gweru when they were booted out of the OneWallet Sup8r Knockout tournament by How Mine.
The only time they played a cup game in Bulawayo was their 3-1 win over How Mine in the quarter-finals.
Winners of the Chibuku Super Cup will walk away with $75,000 with the losing finalists taking home $50,000 while the two losing semi-finalists will each pocket $25,000. Teams that were knocked out at the quarter-finals stage will each bank $20,000. The Chronicle
Fixtures
Saturday: FC Platinum v Black Rhinos (Rufaro, 3PM SuperSport)
Sunday: Highlanders v Harare City (Rufaro, 3PM SuperSport)
