The Sunday News
Sports Reporter
STRUGGLING Bulawayo giants Highlanders take their act to Triangle Football Club this afternoon for their second showdown in a week with former coach Kelvin Kaindu’s side in what is set to be a difficult Castle Lager Premiership tie for the Bulawayo side. Triangle United have been in terrific form at their own backyard where they have only lost to How Mine so far this season since Kaindu took over as their head coach.
Highlanders on the other hand have been blowing hot and cold and their failure last weekend to beat a Triangle side that spent the better part of the match one-man short, might prove a sure sign that the hosts might have another good meal at their beloved Gibbo Stadium.
In that reverse fixture Bosso had to come back from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw but could not use their numerical advantage to kill off the game.
While Highlanders coach, Bongani Mafu has put on a brave face, his side has not had a rosy ride and this afternoon things might not be made easier for Bosso who would be missing the services of two regulars, skipper Erick Mudzingwa and striker Obadiah Tarumbwa. The duo are on suspension after accumulating three yellow cards apiece, although Triangle will also be missing the services of Praise Tonha and Charles Rukwanhi.
A confident Mafu has promised to go for the Triangle jugular from the onset.
“There’s no point in us sitting back. If they say they’ll attack us, we might as well punch them back,” said Mafu.
Following the drawn affair at Barbourfields Stadium last Sunday, Triangle coach Kaindu predicted a tough encounter for Bosso in the reverse fixture.
“At home it’ll be different. We’re very offensive at home and the least that we’ve scored is just a goal,” said Kaindu.
At Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo How Mine will be looking at getting the better of Buffaloes when they clash this afternoon after the two teams shared the spoils in the reverse fixture in Mutare.
Chikurupati’s coach, Luke Masomere will be looking forward to making use of home advantage as well as capitalising on Buffaloes poor away record that has seen the army side register only one win against lowly-rated Dongo Sawmills in the first half of the season.
How Mine are a well oiled machine and despite a slow start they have picked momentum winning three and drawing two of their past five games.
In Harare, Dynamos and Hwange square off after playing a 1-1 draw at the Colliery last weekend.
DeMbare has an added advantage with their latest acquisition Takesure Chinyama and Richard Kawondera while Hwange are reeling from the absence of Nkosana Siwela, Phakamani Dube and Newman Sianchali who were injured in an accident during the week.
DeMbare coach, David “Yogi” Mandigora is under pressure to deliver results and today’s match could see him win over a section of Dynamos fans who feel he does not have enough mettle to retain the championship with their beloved team.
Hwange’s Nation Dube will also be hard pressed to deliver three points as his team has not been performing well and has only managed two wins in the first half of the season. Lack of financial resources has hampered the team’s progress and they are likely to look to juniors for reinforcements during the mid-season transfer window period.
