‘Licence to thrill’ pays dividends for Highlanders

By Sakheleni Nxumalo
(All pics by Thandiwe Moyo)

HIGHLANDERS head coach Bongani Mafu’s wish for his charges to play an exciting but productive brand of football is slowly but surely coming true judging by their performance during the 1-0 win over How Mine in the ZNA Charities semi - final at Barbourfields on Sunday.

Modern football has become so technical such that most coaches do not encourage individual flair but Mafu has come across as one coach who believes in what is known as Kasi flavour in South Africa.

African players have always been considered to be very stylish and full of trickery but Eurocentric training methods that discourage showing off have seen the master dribblers in the Boy Ndlovu, Vitalis Takawira and Mandla Balanda mould being pushed out of the game.

 Mafu however, believes in players expressing themselves on the field of play and after his charges’ goalless draw against Bulawayo Ctiy in a friendly encounter, he let on that he had told his players at half time to go out and sit on the ball if that would help chase away their jitters.

Striking a balance between entertaining fans and being technically and tactically savvy is crucial though and this was evident when Highlanders lost 2-1 to Caps United in the Bob@91 elimination encounter a few weeks ago.

In that match Highlanders dominated proceedings in the first half with a crisp passing game but came unstuck after their opponents made personnel changes that swung the game in their favour.

But in what could be a sign that Highlanders is improving with each passing game, the Bulawayo giants were not only impressive in their ability to exploit space and create great build ups but were also able to deal with tactical changes made by the opposition.

For example in the second half How Mine deployed more men in midfield by dropping the hard running Naftery Ndale – who had in the first half been part of a two man attack with former Bosso striker Mgcini Sibanda -  to play as a missing striker and that saw action being played out in the Highlanders half for long periods.

How Mine became even more dangerous when Kuda Musharu replaced Sibanda but the Highlanders technical team were quick to react and threw in Teenage Hadebe to partner Douglas Sibanda in central defence with captain Felex Chindungwe moving to central midfield to double anchor with Eric Mudzingwa.

 Highlanders are indeed still a work in progress as they did fizzle out in the latter stages of the game but for some time last Sunday it was evident that the players were enjoying their game with the rejuvenated Obadiah Tarumbwa outstanding.

Another standout player was the speedy Gabriel Nyoni whose transformation after being shifted to play as a right linkman can only be described simply as amazing.

Nyoni was unconvincing as an out and out striker and easily gave away possession but has all of sudden become a confident winger who combines speed and dribbling to skip past defenders and could become a standout player for Bosso this season.

 And in goals Njabulo Nyoni brought back memories of eccentric Highlanders goalkeepers of yesteryear Edmore “Mamkhwebu” Sibanda, Johannes Tshuma and Tapuwa Kapini with his theatrics that fans lapped up.

But he should be reminded that the same fans will turn on him in the blink of an eye should his clowning result in him conceding a silly goal.