The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
GOALKEEPER Ariel Sibanda returns to the Highlanders starting line up when they face neighbours Chicken Inn in a must win Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon. Sibanda, the 2012 goalkeeper of the year has been sidelined by a swollen ankle which saw him watching Highlanders from the terraces. Even before he picked up the injury, “Mangoye” had lost his place at first choice goalkeeper to Njabulo Nyoni. Sibanda was hugely blamed for conceding easy goals in Bosso’s 3-2 loss to fierce rivals Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium in June. In the 13 matches he started for Highlanders during the first half of the season, the former Warriors goalkeeper conceded nine goals.
Nyoni had made the number one jersey his for six consecutive matches but he too has come under heavy scrutiny for letting in simple goals, the latest being in the 1-0 defeat by Whawha at Ascot Stadium last Sunday. The ex-Zimbabwe Saints and Chicken Inn goalkeeper has been reduced to being a substitute while Prosper Matutu, never given a chance off the bench, is dropped from the matchday 18-men squad.
After such a lengthy time on the sidelines, Sibanda should be out to prove a point by putting up a splendid display in between the posts and make the number one jersey his until the end of the season. Also back for Highlanders are defenders Erick Mudzingwa and Teenage Hadebe which should give under pressure coach Bongani Mafu more options at the back.
It is highly expected that should Mafu lose to Chicken Inn, the Highlanders leadership could be forced to strip him of his duties and give his assistant Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu a chance to prove that he can do the job in the remaining nine matches. Mafu was brought down to earth by FC Platinum and Whawha after he had recorded a thumping 5-1 victory over How Mine. A defeat by Chicken Inn which would mean he has lost three matches in a row could result in the club leadership springing into action.
Conflicting media reports emerged following the loss to Whawha with some reports indicating that Mafu had been shown the door but it later came out that he is still the man in charge. Sources have, however, indicated that something could be happening behind the scenes as those in charge of the running of the club are seeking an amicable way of parting ways with the former Zimbabwe Saints coach.
What makes the task even tougher for Mafu is the fact that Highlanders have only beaten Chicken Inn once in nine previous meetings between the two clubs since the Gamecocks earned promotion in 2011. Bosso recorded a 2-1 win over Chicken Inn in a violence marred fist ever clash between the two teams at Luveve Stadium. Chicken Inn have beaten Highlanders three times while the other five matches have ended in a stalemate. The Gamecocks were 2-1 victorious over Highlanders when the two teams met at today’s venue in May which makes them favourites going into today’s encounter. Not only are Chicken Inn the log leaders but the Joey Antipas coached side are a staggering 15 points ahead of Highlanders who went into this weekend’s fixtures in an unfamiliar eight place on the log.
A loss for Highlanders will have far more reaching consequences as wins for Chapungu and Hwange will see Bosso slide down the log standings into a relegation spot, something unheard of for such a big club with a huge following in Zimbabwe and beyond the country’s borders. Highlanders go into battle without Knox Mutizwa, the league’s leading goal scorer with 10 goals who has to sit out the match after accumulating three yellow cards. They are also missing the injured Webster Chingodza, Mthulisi Maphosa as well as Rahman Kutsanzira while Obert Tafira and Valentine Ndaba did not make the cut.
In his absence, Obadiah Tarumbwa, Thembinkosi Simango, Gabriel Nyoni could be entrusted with finding the target for Highlanders. Other players expected to play a huge part in saving Mafu from being sacked are Bruce Kangwa, Honest Moyo, Mudzingwa, Hadebe, Simon Munawa, King Nadolo, Godfrey Makaruse, Felix Chindungwe and Douglas Sibanda.
Mutizwa’s suspension gives an opportunity to Edmore Chirambadare to rediscover his scoring form. The Chicken Inn striker has not scored since his side’s 2-1 triumph over Chapungu in June and has been stuck on eight goals ever since.
Chirambadare has created a number of goals for his strike partner Michelle Katsvairo and if the two combine well this afternoon, they could cause all sorts of problems for the Highlanders defence. Goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze has been in brilliant form all season which has seen him being called up to the senior national team. He has good cover in the form of Moses Jackson, Brian Mbiriri, Guide Goddard and Lawrence Mhlanga. In midfield, veteran Clemence Matawu has been outstanding together with skipper Danny Phiri, Thabani Goredema and Bhekimpilo Ncube. Tafadzwa Kutinyu has been out injured but indications are that the midfielder could make a return against Highlanders.
This afternoon sees seven matches lined up all over the country, the last round of matches before the league breaks for international football action. Triangle welcome FC Platinum to Gibbo, Hwange are up against Harare City at Colliery, Buffaloes meet Flame Lily at Sakubva, Chapungu entertain Caps United at Ascot, Dongo Sawmill have a date with Tsholotsho at Vengere while Dynamos and How Mine round off the weekend’s action when they clash at Rufaro.
