The Sunday News
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS Football Club coaches want their players to put aside their disappointment of the cancellation of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash against Dynamos and focus on Tuesday’s Independence Cup.
The epic league game between the two giants that had been scheduled for yesterday at Barbourfields Stadium was called off to pave way for the Independence Cup final to be played on Tuesday at Mt Darwin High School.
Speaking at the club’s weekly Press conference, first assistant coach Madinda Ndlovu indicated that their focus is on motivating their charges.
“Of course they (players) are disappointed, but it is what it is. We can’t do anything. We just have to go by the decision of the authorities. What we have to do is motivate them to say the game we’re going to play is equally the same as the one that was cancelled,” said Ndlovu.
Bosso are the defending champions having won last year’s 42nd Independence Cup 1-0 courtesy of a Stanley Ngala strike at Barbourfields Stadium. Highlanders are likely to give fringe players who include one of the two goalkeepers Reward Muza and Raphael Pitisi who have been on the bench in league games with Ariel Sibanda starting.
Brito can afford to even change the backline and have Marvelous Chigumira (right back), Godfrey Makaruse (left back) and central defence pair of Andrew Tandi and Gillian Nyathi coming in while replacing the quartet of Peter Muduhwa, Mbongeni Ndlovu, Archford Faira and Andrew Mbeba.
Central midfielders Brighton Manhire and Mason Mushore, winger Ray Lunga, central attacking midfielder Prince Ndlovu and forwards Washington Navaya as well as Calvin “Kung Fu” Chigonero should be given a run in Mt Darwin after not seeing much action since the start of the season.
Unlike Dynamos who are plagued by injuries, Highlanders have a clean bill of health heading to the Independence Cup.
Dynamos coach Herbert Maruwa told our Harare Bureau that four players, including DeMbare’s poster boy Denver Mukamba have been ruled out of the Independence Cup following knocks picked up against Cranborne Bullets. Dynamos’ captain Frank Makarati and midfielder Donald Mudadi as well as goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa have also been ruled out of the trip to Mt Darwin. Maruwa said he will field a strong side as they want to wrestle the Independence Cup from Highlanders. The DeMbare gaffer is rallying behind his troops.
“Everyone who is registered is capable of playing. So basically we are going to field a strong team. The team that was going to play in the (postponed) league game is the same that will play in the cup game.
“So far we have goalkeeper Prince who is out, Denver is out, Frank is out and Donald Mudadi is out. The four of them are out of this cup game,” said Maruwa
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