Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Chiefs head coach, Thulani “Thuts” Sibanda is wary of Highlanders saying the Bulawayo football giants are bound to give them a good run for their money when the two teams meet in a derby at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.
Amakhosi Amahle, as Chiefs are fondly known, will go into the match after losing a couple of their gifted players who include Xolisani “Scara” Moyo, Never Rauzhi and Malvern Hativagoni in the on-going transfer window.
Moyo joined TelOne, Rauzhi signed for Highlanders and Hativagoni is now with defending champions Ngezi Platinum Stars.
“Our preparations for our game against Highlanders have gone on well. However, we are worried that some players that we might throw in do not have PSL experience. They will come as replacements for the players who moved, these include Xolisani, Rauzhi and Hativagoni. We will see how it goes against a confident Highlanders,” said Sibanda.
Thulani Sibanda
Rauzhi moved to Bosso on a six-month loan deal but he will not be fielded by the Bulawayo football giants to face his parent club. In letting Rauzhi go to Bosso, Chiefs inserted a clause that the striker would not play against them. Bosso will be out to make up for their poor first-round showing against their city rivals. Out of a possible nine points, Highlanders collected two points. The Bulawayo giants failed to win in any of the three Bulawayo derbies.
Highlanders predicted a tough match ahead. “Derby matches are always difficult, Bulawayo Chiefs have been doing well, they have a competitive team and a good coach. We need to continue from how we played against Dynamos but that result is now history,” said Bosso gaffer, Kelvin Kaindu.
In the first bout of derbies, Highlanders lost to Chicken Inn 2-1 and drew with Bulawayo Chiefs 1-1 before a nil-all draw against Arenel Movers. In the match against Chiefs, Bosso got their goal from their leading goalscorer Lynoth Chikuhwa and Rauzhi chipped in with an equaliser for Amakhosi Amahle.
In their last weekend matches, Bulawayo Chiefs beat Greenfuel 2-1 at Luveve Stadium while Bosso dismissed Dynamos 2-0 at Rufaro Stadium. Meanwhile, in other fixtures slated for today, bruised Dynamos will fight it out against Hwange deep in the bowels of the Colliery Stadium.
Chipangano, who have since re-united with their former player Winston Mhango, collected a crucial point when they played a one all draw against Yadah FC. Hwange are hard pressed for victory to move off the foot of the Castle Lager Premiership.
Manica Diamonds meet TelOne at Mutare’s Sakubva Stadium. CAPS United have a date with Herentals College. — @FungaiMuderere.
