Cosmas Zulu back home
Sp2

Cosmas Zulu

Sikhumbuzo Moyo and Ricky Zililo in 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 he will be part of the coaching structure that will lead Highlanders in their Chibuku Super Cup semi-final against Harare City at Rufaro 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, Ndumiso Gumede, said Zulu will also be in charge of the team’s disciplinary issues.

He is a known disciplinarian.

“We’re concerned about the developments that the team is facing and that is why as Highlanders we decided to bring in Tsano (Zulu) to come and assist in the technical team as soon as possible,” said Gumede.

“He is coming in to mop up the last five games because the whole system needs a shape up. Zulu is a no-nonsense person and will be firm in terms of discipline of the players.

“If they are professionals (players), they must know that their performances have a determination on whether the sponsorship stays or we lose it.

“Sponsors don’t want their name to be dragged in dirt like these reports of players smoking mbanje or being convicted of assault or taking other intoxicating substances.”

Highlanders were on Sunday pummelled 0-4 by CAPS United in a league match at the National Sports Stadium with stand-in coach Mathe being rudely exposed on his technical shortcomings with players being put in strange positions.

Highlanders now find themselves 10 points behind nemesis Dynamos with just five league matches left before the season comes to an end.

“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 Zulu.

“I won everything with Highlanders and they also sent me to an advanced coaching course where I was attached to Coventry City (former club to Peter Ndlovu).

“Who am I then to refuse when a club as big as Highlanders asks for my assistance?”

Meanwhile, the Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said they decided to have the 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.

“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 are unable to go outside Harare because the budget set aside to cover the Premiership games has been exhausted.

“That is why you saw that last weekend there were no PSL games screened because of the issue,” Ndebele said.

Highlanders feel hard done by the decision to play their game in Harare.

“We incur lots of costs when travelling away and yet we get nothing from the gate-takings to cover the expenses,” said Gumede.

“I have been instructed by my bosses to lodge a complaint about this which is not to say we are undermining the sponsor, but in future, considerations need to be made so that we recoup our expenses.

“As it is we have a budget of US$4 500 to travel to Harare, that is for transport and accommodation there, yet we stand to take home far less than that from the gates which can’t cover what we have spent preparing for the trip.

“What we realised is that we have played a number of tournaments away from home this season and we thought since we have done the part of spreading the game to other corners of the country, now was the time to give us home advantage.”

 

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