adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
Highlanders skipper Felix Chindungwe has been ruled out of tomorrow’s Castle Lager Premiership top of the table clash with Harare giants CAPS United at Barbourfields.
It is the first edition of the famed 2016 Battle of the Cities showdown between the two sides. Chindungwe is one of the six players that will miss the weekend games because of yellow cards. Fellow defender Erick Mudzingwa will take over the captain’s armband.
Bosso are currently second on the log standings with 27 points, two behind leaders Makepekepe and they are aiming to wrestle the control of the race from their opponents. However, the Bulawayo giants’ coach Erol Akbay yesterday hinted the unavailability of their skipper was a blow for the side.
Bosso dropped crucial points during the midweek when they played a goalless draw at Mutare City Rovers and Akbay is angling for a comeback.
“Felix is our captain and if your captain is not available for such a big game it means you miss so much because he is the man who brings the team together.
“It could be a little difficult because of injuries and the suspension of our captain. But we are not crying though because we have other players who are capable.
“We will see what happens at the end of the day because both teams need the points. We aim to play our normal game and hopefully we will win against CAPS United,” said Akbay.
The man Bosso will truly miss for this big match is Knox Mutizwa who has since left the club to join his new teammates at Bidvest Wits in South Africa. Mutizwa had played a critical role in their campaign early in the season by scoring crucial goals.
In his absence Akbay may need to turn to rookie forward Prince Dube who has also been enjoying good form and Gabriel Nyoni to provide the goals upfront.
Roving left back Bruce Kangwa, who is the club’s leading scorer, has also been on top of his game and could be the man to watch tomorrow. Akbay said they are aiming to improve from their showing against Mutare City.
“We didn’t play that badly in Mutare. It’s only that we couldn’t score goals from the chances that we created. Hopefully we will improve on that on Sunday.
“The good thing is we are playing at home and I am urging our supporters to rally behind the team. Sometimes supporters need to have a little bit of patience with the youngsters. They cannot win each and every game, like what happened in Mutare,” said Akbay.
Makepekepe on the other hand are oozing with confidence following the midweek victory over Tsholotsho, which propelled them to the top of the table.
Strangely, their coach Lloyd Chitembwe had been under pressure from a section of their fans. However, a win in Bulawayo tomorrow could win him back some hearts from those doubting his pedigree.
CAPS United will also be banking on veteran Leonard Tsipa to continue with his form. Makepekepe are not likely to make changes to the team that featured during the midweek.
Defensive midfielder Devon Chafa, who made his debut for the club last week, is also likely to be given another run after acquitting himself well in the last two games.
But Chitembwe could be tempted to throw in Joel Ngodzo into the fray against his former paymasters. Ngodzo was rested for the match against Tsholotsho.
CAPS United assistant coach Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi said the Harare giants are expecting a tough outing in the back to back Battle of the Cities fixtures.
The league takes a two-week break after tomorrow’s matches and the giants will clash again in a fortnight. CAPS United shot to the top of the table following a 2-0 win over Tsholotsho on Wednesday.
“It’s another tough game. There are no easy games in the league. Every team is fighting for something so we respect Highlanders. We are going to give 150 percent effort. We know it’s going to be a tough game, we are away from home. So we just go there and do our best,” said Kwashi.
Fixtures
Saturday: Harare City v Chicken Inn (Rufaro), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Triangle United (Baobab), Tsholotsho v Hwange (Luveve)
Sunday: Dynamos v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro), Border Strikers v How Mine (Dulivhadzimu), FC Platinum v Bulawayo City (Mandava), Chapungu v Mutare City Rovers (Ascot), Highlanders v CAPS United (Barbourfields).
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