Diya pledges allegiance to Bosso

HIGHLANDERS’ goalkeeper, Munyaradzi Diya, whose contract had expired at the end of December last year, has put to bed any doubts about his commitment to the club by pledging his total allegiance to Bosso. The club retained the highly-rated goalkeeper who had a dream season at Highlanders last year on a season’s loan. Diya, who was also instrumental in the club‘s winning of the Mbada Diamonds Cup, pocketed US$2 500 at an awards ceremony of the richest domestic competition. He got US$1 500 for being voted Player of the Tournament and US$1000 for being the goalkeeper of the tournament.

Speculation was rife that the goal minder, who was in South Africa recently with the Warriors during the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament, would move to South Africa’s Golden Arrows after he had a week-long trial with the club last year, where he was said to have impressed.

But the 2013 Castle Lager Soccer stars of the year finalist’s move could not materialise as the Durban based side had exhausted its foreign quota.  The 29-year-old goalkeeper was also said to be interested in rejoining Harare giants Dynamos for the forthcoming season.

Diya, who has also previously seen duty with Zimbabwe Saints, did not fully blossom at Dynamos whose goalkeeping department is headed by his elder brother Tichaona.
Club secretary Andrew Tapela confirmed that Diya had signed a new one year contract.

“I can confirm that the goalkeeper (Diya) has signed a one year extension on his contract which had expired on December 31, 2014,” said Tapela.
Since Diya took over from Ariel Sibanda as Highlanders’ first choice goalkeeper last year, he has not disappointed, making some fine saves as Bosso mounted a spirited challenge for the championship only to lose to Dynamos on goal difference.

The goalkeeper, who was in goals in 23 out of the 30 league matches for Bosso last season, conceded 17 goals.
His heroics were enough to see him being chosen as one of the 11 Castle Lager Soccer Stars of the Year and he capped off a fine season by producing some fine saves to deny How Mine as Highlanders ended years of gloom by winning the third edition of the Mbada Diamonds Cup with a 3-0 victory.

The club has also secured two-year contracts with three other senior players – Erick Mudzingwa, Bruce Kwangwa and Dumisai Ndhlovu.
Highlanders also signed Khumbulani Banda from How Mine, Welcome Ndiweni (FC Platinum), Njabulo Nyoni (Chicken Inn) and Valentine Ndaba (Shabanie Mine) for two years each.
Joel Ngonzo who came from FC Platinum signed for one year.

Of particular interest will be whether the likes of Milton Ncube and Peter Moyo, who were also in South Africa for the CHAN tournament which ended last Sunday,would also commit their future to the Bulawayo based club.
The club has however lost forwards Masimba Mambare and Njabulo Ncube, whose contracts expired on December 31, 2013, to Dynamos and FC Platinum respectively.
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