HIGHLANDERS might have found an unlikely solution to their goalscoring problems, with South African Thabo Lunga Zikode trialing with the Bulawayo giants in the hope of striking a deal.
After failing to secure Bulawayo Chiefs striker Obriel Chirinda, coach Baltemar Brito is assessing Zikode, who arrived in the country on Wednesday.
Zikode (27) is an attacking midfielder, who can also play as a central striker.
He is a free agent, and is formerly of Uthongathi FC in the South African ABC Motsepe League.
The forward is said to have been assessed by South African top sides Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United but for yet-to-be-established reasons, the two giants could not sign him and his handlers have pushed him to Zimbabwe to get game time.
Highlanders’ spokesperson Nozibelo Maphosa confirmed Zikode’s presence at the Bulawayo giants.
“He (Zikode) is training with us. He arrived in the country on Wednesday, but it is up to the coaches if they will sign him or not. We have not heard from the coaches or the executive on their position regarding the player but what I can confirm is that he is training with the club,” Maphosa said.
Brito’s frantic efforts to get Chirinda ended in vain and last week had no kind words for the Bosso leadership for failing to get the deal over the line.
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Bosso strikers have struggled for goals, with the defenders getting on the scoresheet, mostly from set-pieces.
According to Zikode’s profile, he can play across the forward line.
“Thabo is a lethal attacker, a goal machine. He is very effective as a number 10 or left midfield. Excellent technique to run with the ball, forward-thinking, can shoot and can dribble (speed endurance to cover big distances on the pitch). He intercepts a lot of balls in the midfield to initiate offensive transitions (positive turnovers). Good speed for a box-to-box midfielder (No 10 playmaker). He dominates the midfield area and plays like a winner and a leader,” reads the profile on social media.
Championship-chasing Highlanders are off to Baobab Stadium for a clash with Ngezi Platinum Stars tomorrow as they seek to maintain their stranglehold at the top of the log standings.
