By Kudakwashe Kutinyo
Football loving fans have applauded the Highlanders back four for contributing towards goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda's cleansheets leading him to attain the top gong at the end of the season, the best goalkeeper of the year award.
An unsung hero Highlanders Goalkeepers Coach Daniel "Kayembe" Khumalo should perhaps be the first person to credit for the brilliant performance displayed by the veteran goalkeeper and captain Ariel Sibanda.
Coach Daniel Khumalo popularly known as "Kayembe" arrived at Highlanders barely 2 years ago and have since equipped Bosso goalkeepers with his modern goalkeeping techniques.
Speaking in an interview Coach Daniel Khumalo Highlighted that it was their motive to make sure that Ariel Sibanda equals 15 cleansheets of which he ended up having 18 cleansheets.
"My goal was to get 15 clean sheets as our objective of the season and l only gave my goalkeepers the target so that it gives them the confidence, motivation to do better each game to reach the goal".
He also revealed the challenges that he faced upon arrival at Highlanders.
"Yes l faced some challenges at the beginning of the process, of lack of understanding how l operate as a goalkeepers coach but moving forward together with love, patience and faith we then come up together as a department of goalkeepers with one voice, the main challenge was on the time keeping, l wanted them to understand the area they are guiding needs them to be always number one because of the maximum points they give to the team".
"The difference between a good goalkeeper and successful goalkeeper is that good goalkeepers have only short term objective whilst successful goalkeepers have long-term objective., said coach Khumalo",said coach Khumalo.
A pure football fan can testify that Highlanders defenders and midfielders now entrust their goal minders by building their play from the goalkeeper to the top and that when also underpressure the ball is returned to the goalkeeper as his footwork abilities have since improved.
Under his belt Daniel Khumalo has managed to assist two goalkeepers attain the prestigious award which include Petros Mhari in 2017 with 19 cleansheets at FC Platinum and now Highlanders Ariel Sibanda with also 19 cleansheets.
Now currently with Highlanders FC, Daniel Khumalo spent the better part of his coaching career with FC Platinum under headcoach Norman Mapeza before moving to Bulawayo City and then Highlanders a team which he has always admired.
The former platinum man has previously mentored goalkeepers who are currently on top of their game in the topflight league such as FC Platinum duo Petros Mhari, Wallace Magalane, Caps United's Bhekimpilo Ncube, Elton Sibanda of Sheasham and Matripples Muleya currently with Triangle United among other goalkeepers.
Highlanders Goalkeepers Coach Daniel Khumalo is also currently working on a "Goalkeeping project" meant to benefit upcoming and current goalkeepers in Bulawayo.
