Former Highlanders midfielder Joel “Josta” Ngodzo has retraced his footprints to his boyhood club after agreeing to a one- year contract deal on Saturday.
By Fortune Mbele
The move ended speculation on his next move for the 2014 soccer season. However, finer details of the deal could not be established.
SouthernEye Sport caught up with the stocky dribbling midfielder outside the BancABC Bank soon after picking up his signing-on fees in company of club treasurer Jerry Sibanda and secretary Andrew Tapela.
Both parties confirmed that the player had appended his signature for a one-year stay at Bosso subject to review on performance.
Also in company was another Bosso new signing, former Shabanie Mine linkman Valentine Ndaba, who has signed a two- year contract with the Bulawayo giants.
“He [Josta] has signed a one-year contract subject to review based on his performance. As you know, he has not been playing at FC Platinum.
But the bottom line is that he is now our player,” Sibanda said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The Highlanders treasurer also confirmed that the 2013 Mbada Diamonds Cup winners have also grabbed former Chicken Inn goalkeeper Njabulo “Popo” Nyoni, who has also signed a two-year contract.
Popo is likely to be replacing young Archieford Katsande, who has been shown the door.
“We had already agreed in principle with Josta; what was left was for him to sign the contract and he is now our player,” secretary Tapela also confirmed.
Josta also confirmed: “I have signed a one-year contract and will start pre-season training on Monday.”
Tapela said there was no need to panic as Highlanders have also finalised a deal with goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya, who is away with the Warriors for the African Nations Championships (Chan) tournament in South Africa.
He added that they had retained most of their senior players with the exception of midfielders Peter “Rio” Moyo and Milton Ncube who are also in South Africa with the Warriors.
Moyo and Ncube have been linked with a move to league champions Dynamos when they return from national duty.
Bosso has already lost Masimba Mambare who signed a three-year contract with DeMbare and veteran striker Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube, who has found a new home at FC Platinum after penning a one-year contract.
“There is no need to panic. Diya is our player and we have retained most of our senior players that include Erick Mudzingwa, Dumisani Ndlovu, Bruce Kangwa and Mthulisi Maphosa and we are just waiting for Rio and Milton to return from Chan,” Tapela said.
Bosso, who are also eyeing another former FC Platinum player Charles Sibanda and Hwange defender Eric Chipeta on their return from South Africa, have already concluded four new deals for the 2014 season that has seen them roping in Ndaba, Khumbulani Banda and of late Nyoni and Josta.
The players will be working out with new assistant coaches Mark Mathe and Peter “Oxo” Nkomo awaiting the return of head coach Kelvin Kaindu, who is in his native country Zambia and is expected to join the club next month.
