The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Highlanders player, Gabriel “Granvia” Nyoni makes a quick return to Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon when his new team, Caps United clash with Bosso in what promises to be an exciting match.
Nyoni, a Highlanders player from July 2013 decided to part ways with Bosso at the end of last year when he did not renew his contract. For someone who was part of the Highlanders leadership and had his best season ever with Amahlolanyama last year when he scored six league goals, it certainly will be an emotional moment for him.
Remembered for removing his shorts to reveal black and white boxer shorts when he scored his first ever goal for Highlanders in a league encounter against Monomotapa at Barbourfields in September 2013, Nyoni was nicknamed “Granvia” by Bosso fans because of his speed.
The speedy winger is not the only former Bosso player at Makepekepe with striker Newman Sianchali, a Highlanders player last season who also found the target six times in the league now at Caps United. Nyoni, Sianchali join another former Highlanders son, Joel “Josta” Ngodzo at Caps United.
Emotions aside, the three have a point to prove against Highlanders and have a huge part to play as Caps United plot to walk away with the three points from Emagumeni. On what part could Nyoni and Sianchali play in the downfall of Highlanders this afternoon, Bosso first team coach, Bekithemba Ndlovu feels that with the game evolving, they have no fears that the two could give away Amahlolanyama’s game plan.
“Game plans and strategies always change, they were here we were using them, now we are using different strategies and game plans so they would not know what we are doing,” Ndlovu said.
The teams posted contrasting results last weekend in their opening matches of the season with Highlanders coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw away against Black Rhinos at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Saturday while Caps United defeated newly promoted Manica Diamonds 2-0 at the same venue the next day.
On what the fans can expect, the former Bosso skipper said that with both teams eager for a win, the supporters can anticipate goals which have characterised fixtures between the two in the past.
“Playing against Caps United, it’s a big game, lots of expectations, the players on their own they would want to take part in such a game and everyone would want to win. Highlanders would want to win, Caps would want to win so it’s a good game to the neutral. The game is always having goals so on Sunday people must expect goals,’’ Ndlovu said.
Ariel Sibanda, scorer of Bosso equalising goal from the penalty spot against Rhinos is sure to start in goals this afternoon. Andrew Mbeba, MacClive Phiri, Peter Muduhwa and Mbekezeli Sibanda are favourites to make up the Bosso rearguard.
Mbekezeli Sibanda was thrust on the left side of the Highlanders defence due to the absence through injury of Mbongeni Ndlovu and it is yet to be seen if Bosso technical manager Madinda Ndlovu decides to make any changes at the back.
Brian Banda, Nqobizitha Masuku, Denzel Khumalo, Cleopas Kapupurika and Godfrey Makaruse started in midfield for Bosso while Tinashe Makanda was the lone striker in the season opener.
Prince Dube started off on the bench against Rhinos and is most likely to be brought in to start this afternoon as Highlanders search for their first win for this season in front of their loyal fans.
In other fixtures lined up for this afternoon, Manica Diamonds face Harare City at Gibbo, Dynamos entertain PSL returnees Hwange at Rufaro while Chapungu take on Rhinos at Mandava.
@Mdawini_29
