Crestfallen Bosso target Chibuku

19 Oct, 2014 - 00:10 0 Views
Crestfallen Bosso target Chibuku Cosmas Zulu

The Sunday News

Cosmas Zulu

Cosmas Zulu

WITH the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League now out of reach, crestfallen Highlanders will look for some solace when they meet Harare City in a tricky semi-final of the Chibuku Super Cup at Rufaro Stadium in Harare this afternoon.
Caretaker head coach Mark Mathe was given a real baptism of fire when his team was thrashed 4-0 by Caps United at the National Sports Stadium last Sunday, a result which saw Bosso remain in fourth place but now 10 points from defending champions and log leaders Dynamos.

Mathe has emphasised the need to regroup after that massacre, which, ironically was sweet revenge for Caps United coach Taurai Mangwiro for the defeat, by the same scoreline, inflicted upon his team in the reverse fixture in Bulawayo.

Installed to hold fort until the end of the season after his former boss Kelvin Kaindu left his post, Mathe was lampooned for his selection against Caps United which saw him go into the battle with five defensive players but his team still conceded four goals. Mathe had fielded Bruce Kangwa, Innocent Mapuranga, Felix Chindungwe, Erick Mudzingwa and Dumisani Ndlovu.

What was even more bizarre was that Mathe played former skipper Mapuranga as an anchorman and fielded in the starting line-up Mthulisi Maphosa who had spent the bulk of the week shuttling between the team’s training sessions and the courts where he faced assault charges which saw him being sentenced to do community service last Monday.

Mathe defended his team selection for last Sunday, pointing out that they did not play well as a team and he could not single out a player who cost the team on the day.

“We conceded four goals as a team against Caps United, I cannot vilify any player for that loss, and we were not compact enough as a team. We have regrouped now and we are focused on the match against Harare City. This is not about Mark Mathe but about turning around the fortunes of Highlanders as a team,’’ said Mathe, who today will have an experienced helping hand in newly-appointed technical advisor Cosmas “Tsano’’ Zulu.

What makes the task even tougher for Highlanders is the fact that they have never defeated Harare City at Rufaro Stadium since the Sunshine City Boys were promoted in 2012. In 2012, the teams drew 0-0, last year Harare City massacred Highlanders 4-0, a loss which cost Highlanders the title and last month Harare City triumphed 1-0 at the same venue.

Bosso will look for inspiration from their Mbada Diamond Cup semi-final victory over Harare City last year at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane. Highlanders won the match 5-3 on penalties after the encounter had ended in a 2-2 stalemate.

Highlanders have been hit by further injuries ahead of their clash with the Masimba Dinyero coached Harare City. Midfielder Joel Ngodzo is out with a knee injury he suffered against Caps United while striker Gabriel Nyoni is sidelined by a hamstring injury he picked up while with the national Under-23 in Swaziland. The two join Webster Chingodza who has a cracked toe and bustling forward Njabulo Ncube who has an ankle injury, in the casualty department.

It is almost certain that Highlanders skipper Ariel Sibanda will return to guard goals after being overlooked for Njabulo Nyoni last Sunday with the defence expected to be made up of Ndlovu, Kangwa, Mapuranga and Mudzingwa.

Chindungwe has been outstanding playing as a defensive link and is highly expected to fill that role with the likes of Welcome Ndiweni, Rahman Kutsanzira, Pasca Manhanga, Hillary Madzivanyika, Valentine Ndaba and Maphosa fighting it out for a starting berth in the vital midfield department.

Charles Sibanda, Ozias Zibande, Simba Sithole and fit again Kudzanai Machazani are the available options for Mathe upfront.
Harare City goes into the match without James Jam who is suspended after receiving two yellow cards so far in the tournament. Dinyero has at his disposal former Zimbabwe Warriors goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupanedengu, experienced defender David Kutyauripo, Arnold Chaka, Raymond Uchena, William Manondo, Osborne Mukuradare, Martin Vengesai and Francisco Zekumbawira.

To make it to the last four, Highlanders defeated fellow Bulawayo side How Mine 3-1 while Harare City won 2-1 over Chiredzi.

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