The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
HIGHLANDERS took to Twitter to stoke fires ahead of today’s derby against Bulawayo Chiefs at Barbourfields, bemoaning the lack of rival intensity in recent matches involving the city’s teams similar to the tense atmosphere that used to precede their fixture against Zimbabwe Saints.
As if to goad other local teams at their inability to command a huge following and ensure derby games are full of promise and tension, posting in their Twitter handle, Highlanders FC Bosso, the club said: “We wish one of our city neighbours grows and fill the gap left by Zimbabwe Saints. Who is close to filling this gap between Chicken Inn, Bulawayo City and Bulawayo Chiefs?”
The tweet perhaps highlighted the fact that derbies have lost steam and become ordinary games although rivalries on the pitch might be different.
Chiefs will be certainly eager to prove a point and make it two in a row against Highlanders after beating them in the reverse fixture 1-0 although it will not be an easy battle.
Bosso’s technical manager, Madinda Ndlovu said they will not want to fall twice to Chiefs like they did to ZPC Kariba and Ngezi Platinum.
He said while the championship race might be over they are angling for a positive finish and an inch closer towards their preferred top four target.
Ndlovu revealed it will be a revenge mission this afternoon as they atone for the loss they suffered in the first half of the season.
“We know Bulawayo Chiefs are silent killers who’ve humiliated all big teams in Bulawayo. But we want them to beat us back-to-back so I’m going to field my strongest team for the game. It’s a serious game in many ways, one in terms of us wanting to finish in a better position and secondly, we have to register our revenge against them. We are looking at fielding our strongest side,” he said.
Ndlovu said Chiefs’ lack of any top outstanding players will give them a headache as they would not know who to particularly look out for, adding this makes them a very dangerous side.
Chiefs’ technical advisor, Thulani Sibanda said they are looking forward to a tough encounter and they have all the work to do for themselves in their quest to secure their stay in the Premiership. Chiefs, with 38 points from 32 outings, are on position 13, two places above the last relegation slot occupied by Nichrut who are on 33 points.
“We don’t want to be talking about if this team does this we will survive but rather we have to fight as a team to ensure we are not relegated. It will certainly be a tough encounter and we just have to do our best to ensure we get a positive result. Yes, we might have beaten them in the first round but it will be a different game tomorrow (today),” he said.
He said midfielder Gracious Muleya, whose goal fell Highlanders in the return leg, is doubtful for the match due to injury together with central defender, Lee Matizirofa, whom he said would have to pass late fitness tests.
Chiefs, who face ZPC Kariba in their last match of the season, need two points outrightly to ensure they are out of reach of Nichrut but a point will suffice, if Amakhosi manages to attain a superior goal difference.
Nichrut would however, have to collect maximum points against Triangle this afternoon at Gibbo and Dynamos on Saturday for them to entertain any chances of remaining in the Premiership.
Fixtures
Today: Bulawayo Chiefs v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Mutare City (Rufaro), Triangle United v Nichrut (Gibbo), Black Rhinos v Shabanie Mine (National Sports Stadium), Chapungu v Yadah (Ascot)
