The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS go out in pursuit of maximum points against tricky FC Platinum when the two teams meet in a potentially intriguing Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane this afternoon. The Bulawayo giants picked up maximum points for the first time in the second half of the season with a 1-0 win over Triangle at Hartsfield Rugby Ground last Thursday.
Following that narrow win Bosso’s Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu, said it was imperative that they secure three points when they take on FC Platinum who were also victorious during the midweek with a 1-0 away win against Black Rhinos.
Kaindu believes with the way things have gone so far this season, they could not be talking of the championship because of the unpredictable nature of the competition. After their 1-0 loss to Dynamos two weeks ago, Highlanders found themselves sliding down the log to fourth position.
“It is hard to talk of the championship at this stage, the league is unpredictable, you drop points and find yourself going down the table. What is important is to get maximum points, the race for the championship is going to shape up with a few matches to go,’’ said Kaindu.
The Highlanders coach said there was not much time to prepare for the clash against FC Platinum after their match against Triangle.
Highlanders have been boosted by the return from injury of midfielder turned defender Simon Munawa and creative midfielder Rahman Kutsanzira which leaves only striker Gabriel Nyoni, the only Bosso player sidelined by injury.
While Highlanders have dominated the matches between the two teams since FC Platinum ascended to top flight football in 2011, the boys from Zvishavane will prove a huge stumbling block to Highlanders’ aspirations for a win more so in their own back yard.
Out of the seven league encounters played between the two teams, Highlanders have collected three points four times while FC Platinum have only recorded one win with two draws recorded, the latest being the 1-1 stalemate when the two teams clashed at Barbourfields Stadium in June.
Last season, Bosso took four points from Kugona Kunenge Kudada with a 0-0 draw in Zvishavane and a 2-1 victory in Bulawayo.
Diminutive Bosso midfielder Pasca Manhanga will miss today’s match after being shown a red card for a second bookable offence against his former club Triangle, which means he is going to miss two matches. The good news for Highlanders is that left back Bruce Kangwa makes a welcome return following his one match suspension for accumulating three yellow cards.
Kangwa is certain to take up his place on the left side of the Highlanders rearguard as his replacement Honest Moyo limped off in their last league encounter and was replaced by Webster Chingodzo. Munawa is most likely to return to the right back position with skipper Innocent Mapuranga and Dumisani Ndlovu completing the backline which should provide adequate cover for Ariel Sibanda.
Felix Chindungwe, Hillary Madzivanyika, Kutsanzira, Joel Ngodzo, Knox Mutizwa, Valentine Ndaba and Mthulisi Maphosa would be fighting it out for starting slots in the midfield.
The league’s leading goal scorer with 11 goals, Charles Sibanda should be trusted with the job of banging in the goals for the Bulawayo giants with the assistance of Njabulo Ncube. The other alternatives upfront for Kaindu are Kuda Machazane, Ozias Zibande and Mgcini Sibanda.
For Norman Mapeza, it is another chance to win the hearts of the FC Platinum fans after assuming the job in recent weeks. Obrey Chirwa was on target in their win over Black Rhinos and Mapeza would be looking to the player to combine well with the exciting Marshal Mudehwe, Mitchelle Katsairo, 2011 soccer star of the year-runner up Allan Gahadzikwa, Daniel Veremu and Ashley Mukwena as they look to record only their second league win over Highlanders.
FC Platinum have striker Donald Ngoma out suspended for today’s encounter after accumulating three yellow cards.
Defending champions Dynamos, held to a 1-1 draw by Hwange in Harare, have a tough assignment away to Triangle at Gibbo Stadium, Buffaloes welcome Black Rhinos to Sakubva Stadium in Mutare, Caps United have a date with Chapungu at Rufaro Stadium while Hwange are up against bottom of the log Chiredzi at the Colliery Stadium.
