The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
FOLLOWING an uninspiring display against FC Platinum at Barbourfields Stadium on Thursday, Highlanders make the trip to Gweru to square off against fellow struggling Whawha at Ascot Stadium this afternoon. Highlanders welcome back from suspension one of their most committed players Bruce Kangwa who sat out the match against FC Platinum after picking up three yellow cards.
A lot was expected from Highlanders when they took on FC Platinum since they had demolished How Mine 5-1 at the same venue four days before. Bosso, however, put up a shoddy show and even after man of the moment Knox Mutizwa had put them ahead, they could not preserve that lead. Goals from Elvis Moyo and Tarisai Rukanda ensured Kugona Kunenge Kudada of their first ever three points at Barbourfields with a 2-1 victory.
As Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu keeps breaking all sorts of records since he was appointed during the off season, FC Platinum had never taken three points from Highlanders at Emagumeni since they earned promotion in 2011.
Going into the weekend’s fixtures, Highlanders find themselves in an unfamiliar number eight position with 25 points, secured from six victories, seven draws while they have suffered six defeats in the 19 matches they have played.
Mafu blamed the loss to FC Platinum on poor defending and that is something they have to work hard on as they prepare to face Whawha. He also attributed the defeat to not being able to take their chances, something they did so well against How Mine.
“We have to improve on the mentality, after a loss we all go flat so I need to go lift the boys up, I have to tell them we live to die another day, we need to work harder the following game,’’ said Mafu.
Highlanders have to do without midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku who is suspended for accumulating three yellow cards while Rahman Kutsanzira is doubtful after being substituted because of injury against FC Platinum.
It is yet to be seen if Mafu will stick with Njabulo Nyoni after the seasoned goalkeeper conceded five goals from the same number of league matches since he dislodged Ariel Sibanda. Prosper Matutu, recalled from a loan spell at Bulawayo Chiefs has been the cover for Nyoni on the bench for three consecutive matches and could earn his PSL debut this afternoon should Mafu prefer a change in personnel in between the posts.
Peter Muduhwa has done well on the right side of the Bosso defence after he was brought in for the injury sidelined Webster Chingodza. With Chingodza still limping from the knee injury sustained in the Chibuku Cup first round encounter against How Mine, indications are that the former Ajax Hotspurs player will keep his place at the back where Kangwa, Honest Moyo, Felix Chindungwe and Douglas Sibanda are the other options available to Mafu.
Tendai Ngulube, Simon Munawa, Godfrey Makaruse, Edmore Muzanenhamo, King Nadolo, Valentine Ndaba are the men with the task of creating goal scoring opportunities for the strikers from the middle of the park.
Strangely, Highlanders have performed well when they are away with four of their wins coming when they were not the home side, something which makes them favourites going into battle against Whawha.
Highlanders won the first ever meeting between the two teams at Barbourfields in May 2-0, the goals coming from Obadiah Tarumbwa and Knox Mutizwa. It is again the pairing of man of the moment Knox Mutizwa and Tarumbwa that is under the spotlight to bang in the much needed goals for Highlanders.
It was the match against Whawha which sparked Mutizwa’s goal scoring form which last Sunday saw him overtake Edmore Chirambadare of Chicken Inn as the leading goal scorer after his hat-trick against How Mine took his tally to nine. The Highlanders striker added another goal in the loss to FC Platinum which makes him a favourite for both the Golden Boot and the Soccer Star of the Year award if he carries on with his fine free scoring display.
Whawha, under the guidance of Lloyd Mutasa are second from bottom on the 16-team log standing with 15 points, picked up from three wins , six draws while they have come out second best 10 times.
They were thumped 3-0 by Hwange in their last outing at the Colliery last Wednesday with indications that they could be back playing lower league football again next season if they do not improve on their performance in the remaining matches.
The wins for Whawha have come against established teams FC Platinum (2-1), Dynamos (1-0) and Hwange (1-0), which should be good enough for Mafu not to undermine them in any way.
