The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda
HIGHLANDERS will look to build on from their 3-0 win over Flame Lily last Wednesday when they clash with a problematic Harare City in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo this afternoon.
The fast falling Bulawayo giants were under lots of pressure to deliver following two successive defeats at home to Chapungu and Caps United. The losses led to speculation that head coach Bongani Mafu’s job was on the line had he failed to pick up a positive result against Flame Lily.
A win over the newly promoted Harare side must have been a massive boost for Mafu as his misfiring strikers finally found the target. Thomas Chideu, Gabriel Nyoni and Obadiah Tarumbwa all did something they had failed to do since the start of the season — to score the much needed goals for Bosso.
Mandla Mpofu, the Highlanders assistant coach, speaking at a Press conference at the club offices on Thursday highlighted the need for the players to gain confidence which they can only do by winning matches.
He pointed out that not being able to retain possession of the ball was the biggest problem for Bosso.
Fourth on the log with 13 points going into this weekend’s fixtures, Highlanders have received a boost with defender Teenage Hadebe, absent from the midweek fixture against Flame Lily in Harare as a precautionary measure available today. Midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku and forward Tarumbwa who picked up knocks in the Wednesday match have made good recovery which makes them available this afternoon.
Still out with injury are goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni, defender Douglas Sibanda and midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa.
With Nyoni still sidelined by an ankle injury he picked up at training, Mafu is certain to persist with Ariel Sibanda in goals ahead of Takunda Mutanga. Sibanda is sure to get good cover from a defence marshalled by skipper Felix Chindungwe with the aid of Webster Chingodza, Bruce Kangwa and Hadebe. This is the backline tasked with keeping Zimbabwe youth international Tinotenda Kadewere, scorer of the brace which sunk ZPC Kariba last Wednesday at bay.
Highlanders have lacked creativity in their midfield which has seen Tarumbwa in most of the matches being forced to drop deep in search of the ball. Rahman Kutsanzira, Welcome Ndiweni, King Nadolo, versatile Tendai Ngulube and Valentine Ndaba have a huge task of supplying Chideu, Tarumbwa, Nyoni and Ozias Zibande with clear opportunities at goal.
Besides Kadewere, the Taurai Mangwiro coached Harare City have three players who made it into the 2014 Castle Lager Soccer Stars of the Year calendar in David Kutyauripo, Tendai Samanja, Themba Ndlovu as well as Raymond Uchena, Arnold Chevheya, Talent Chawapiwa, Honey Chimutimunzeve, Francisco Zekumbawire, Martin Vengesai and Osborne Mukuradare.
In the six meetings between Highlanders and Harare City since 2012, the two teams have been victorious twice each while the other two matches have ended in a stalemate. Highlanders will not forget the 4-0 drubbing they endured at the hands of Harare City at Rufaro Stadium in November 2013 which saw them lose out on the championship to Dynamos on goal difference.
Last season, Highlanders recorded a 1-0 win at home with City also picking up a victory by a similar scoreline in the reverse fixture in Harare. The Sunshine Boys also clobbered Bosso 3-0 in the semi-final of the Chibuku Super Cup at Rufaro Stadium.
Defending champions Dynamos, who were beaten 1-0 by newboys WhaWha at Ascot Stadium last Thursday welcome FC Platinum to Rufaro Stadium, Hwange have a date with Flame Lily at the Colliery Stadium, Triangle will seek a return to winning ways when they go up against WhaWha at Gibbo Stadium while Buffaloes and Caps United round off the weekend’s action when they meet at Sakubva Stadium.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Fixtures
Today: Highlanders v Harare City(Barbourfields Stadium), Dynamos v FC Platinum (Rufaro Stadium), Hwange v Flame Lily (Colliery Stadium), Triangle United v Whawha (Gibbo Stadium), Buffaloes v Caps United (Sakubva Stadium)
