By Ricky Zililo
Highlanders technical advisor Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu created a scene at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday, shouting and menacingly charging at sports journalists that were interviewing the club’s Zambian trialist goalkeeper Sitali Nyambwe.
The drama unfolded after Bosso’s 1-0 win over Bulawayo City to clinch the Bulawayo Football Festival.
Nyambwe who arrived in Bulawayo on Wednesday, trained with the club on Thursday and Friday before being thrust in goals in the final against PSL debutants City.
Although Nyambwe was not called on to make any crucial saves, his theatrics amused the Bosso faithful and he commanded his defence very well.
He charmed the fans and gave a good account of himself by communicating well with his defenders and positioned himself perfectly.
After the match, Highlanders’ assistant coach Amini Soma-Phiri cleared Nyambwe to speak to journalists, but that decision did not go down well with Zulu, who had spent the whole afternoon sitting in the VIP enclosure with head coach Erol Akbay.
As Nyambwe began fielding questions from the journalists, Zulu was visibly consumed in anger and descended from the VIP enclosure raging in fury with his eyes flashing and narrowing to slits, and his mouth quivering and slurring words that were unintelligible.
His shouting drew the attention of fans in the grandstand that were left wondering what had torched his rage. Zulu, who also doubles up as goalkeepers’ coach in the new technical set up, declared that Highlanders’ players could not speak to the media without his permission.
“Don’t talk to my player, get away from him,” Zulu repeatedly shouted as he came down onto the pitch. When informed that Soma-Phiri, who was being assisted by Siza Khoza, had cleared Nyambwe for the interview, Zulu retorted: “I’m the boss. It’s there in the contract that no one speaks to the players without my permission.”
Even Nyambwe seemed shaken by Zulu and the goalkeeper, whose age could not be established, swiftly disappeared into the dressing room.
Before Zulu’s angry intervention, Nyambwe had said he enjoyed the atmosphere at Barbourfields Stadium. “I’m happy to be here and I think football is almost the same as in Zambia. The fans were lively and I enjoyed it,” he said.
Highlanders are in the hunt for an experienced goalkeeper, who will compete for a starting place with Ariel Sibanda and Njabulo Nyoni. The Chronicle
