The Sunday News
STUTTERING Bulawayo football giants Highlanders get an opportunity to get their title aspirations back on track when they meet this season’s surprise package ZPC Kariba in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Hartsfield Rugby Ground this afternoon.
Highlanders saw their quest to land their first championship since 2006 suffer a setback when they were beaten 1-0 by Harare City last Saturday, on the same day on which fierce rivals Dynamos managed to secure a cruel 0-0 draw against FC Platinum in Zvishavane with another title hopeful ZPC Kariba winning 2-1 over Black Rhinos.
The developments saw Highlanders fall to third position on the log with 39 points, four points behind top of the log Dynamos and two points short of ZPC Kariba in second place.
Pressure is mounting on Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu with some sections of the Highlanders fans calling for the Zambian to be fired.
Kaindu knows well that another mediocre performance from his team this afternoon will lead to a crescendo of more calls for him to be sacked.
In the first meeting between the two teams at Gwanzura Stadium in Harare on 11 May, the two teams could not be separated as the match ended in a one-all draw, both goals coming off the boot of Highlanders players.
Bosso took the lead through a header from Eric Mudzingwa only for then skipper Innocent Mapuranga to hand Saul Chaminuka’s men the equalising goal when he miscued his clearance past goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda.
Highlanders have been bolstered by the return of towering defender, Dumisani Ndlovu and midfielder turned defender Simon Munawa who were missing in that losing cause against Harare City.
Ndlovu is sure to return to the heart of the Bosso defence to partner either Mapuranga or Mudzingwa to provide good cover for goalkeeper Sibanda with Bruce Kangwa.
Former Zimbabwe Warriors defender Felix Chidungwe has proved himself playing as an anchorman and is expected to play that crucial role this afternoon.
Joel Ngodzo, Valentine Ndaba, Pasca Manhanga, Munawa, Tapiwa Dephistara, Rahman Kutsanzira, Mthulisi Maphosa, Hillary Madzivanyika and Welcome Ndiweni will have to fight it out for starting slots in the Highlanders midfield department.
Charles Sibanda, the league’s leading top goalscorer is sure to be tasked with the role of banging in the goals. Gabriel Nyoni, Simba Sithole and Ozias Zibande are the other options upfront for the under pressure Kaindu.
ZPC Kariba have surpassed their own expectations this season and with seven matches before the end of the season, they are assured of top-flight football next season.
Skipper Dennis Dauda, goalkeeper Tendai Hove, Ephraim Mwinga, Pride Tafirenyika, Obey Mwerahari, Tawanda Nyamandwe, Artwell Nyamhiwa, Raphael Manuvire, Tsepo Ranthokoane, Peter Muzondo, Tawanda Munyanduri and Elvis Meleka are some of the players Chamunika can bank on to embarrass Highlanders in front of their own fans.
In other Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches lined up for this afternoon, defending champions Dynamos are certain to add more misery on relegation threatened Shabanie Mine when the two teams meet at Rufaro Stadium while Triangle meet Harare City at Gibbo Stadium.
In a match, which was rescheduled from last Friday, second from bottom Bantu Rovers play Hwange at Hartsfield Rugby Ground tomorrow.
Fixtures
Today: Highlanders v ZPC Kariba (Hartsfield Rugby Ground), Triangle v Harare City (Gibbo Stadium), Dynamos v Shabanie Mine (Rufaro Stadium).
Tomorrow: Bantu Rovers v Hwange (Hartsfield Rugby Ground).
