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It will be a tricky game for title-chasing Highlanders who need maximum points to keep up with defending champions Dynamos who are playing against Harare City at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.
In an interview at Luveve Stadium yesterday before his team’s final training session, Highlanders’ coach Kelvin Kaindu said the competition in the league was now at its hottest and requires that they concentrate on their matches.
“So far so good, our preparations have been okay save for injuries to some of our regular players. We know how derbies are and all that we need to do is to focus on the game.
“I believe this is one of our important games of the season where every team is going for maximum points,” said Kaindu.
Derbies have always been full of tension and are tightly contested.
What makes today’s game at Barbourfields Stadium even more exciting is that Bosso are hoping to win the championship which they last laid hands on in 2006 and they have to collect maximum points to keep their dream on track.
On the other hand Chicken Inn yesterday dropped from position five on the log to seven following Buffaloes and FC Platinum’s wins in their respective games.
Chicken Inn can reclaim their fifth position in the event that they win today and that on its own is a motivating factor for them.
The fast-foods outlets-sponsored club are also seeking their first league win against Bosso since their arrival in top-flight soccer last season.
The two teams have met three times with Chicken Inn losing 2-1 in one of the matches last season.
They went on to draw one-all in the reverse fixture.
This season, Chicken Inn held Highlanders to a goalless draw.
Highlanders’ slippery midfielder Masimba Mambare and defender Bruce Tshuma have been ruled out of today’s game due to injuries.
“The injured guys have been instrumental in our last games but we have to do without them. We are going to miss them but we have a squad where anyone we pick has to deliver,” Kaindu said.
Warriors’ goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, back from national team duty against Angola in the Afcon 2013 qualifier, is upbeat following his Zimbabwe senior national team debut.
He was also at training yesterday and is likely to start ahead of Munyaradzi Diya.
Highlanders’ skipper Innocent Mapuranga who was on the bench when Zimbabwe beat Angola 3-1 was also at training and will partner Eric Mudzingwa with Bruce Kangwa, Atlast Musasa and Lawson Nkomo battling for wingback positions.
Anchorman Mthulisi Maphosa, Peter “Rio” Moyo, returnee from suspension Milton Ncube, Bhekimpilo Ncube and Arnold Ndiweni are some of the players expected to pull strings for Bosso in midfield.
Any of the strikers — Graham Ncube, Beavan Chikaka or Mgcini Sibanda — will be hoping that Chicken Inn’s goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni brings his bag of theatrics and repeats the blunder he made when he gifted Hwange a goal to salvage a point in their last one-all draw.
Gamecocks’ gaffer Adam Ndlovu might opt to give Liberty Chirava the nod ahead of Nyoni today.
Guide Goddard and anchorman Walter Mukanga will miss the derby due to suspension and this might lead to Herbert Dick who is subject to a late fitness test this morning partnering Felix Chindungwe at central defence.
Ndlovu was looking forward to the tie.
“The guys are raring to go and I think it will be a good game. We are taking the game just like any other game and I think pressure is more on them (Highlanders) because they are unbeaten and will want to maintain that.
“We hope to come out with a positive result,” Ndlovu said.
Some of the players expected to carry the day for Chicken Inn include Danny “Deco” Phiri, Thabani Goredema, Canaan Nkomo, exciting Kudakwashe Mahachi and Thomas Chimenya.
They also have Tendai Ndoro and Marshal Marime who can be a handful for Bosso’s defenders.
Fixtures
Today: Harare City v Dynamos (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Highlanders (Barbourfields Stadium).
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter