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Innocent Kurira
Sports Reporter
ARMY side Black Rhinos might still be languishing at the basement of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League standings but they believe they have the pedigree to hand Highlanders their first defeat this season.
The two sides clash at Barbourfields on Sunday with Bosso aiming to extend their unbeaten league run to 19 games and 20 in all competitions so far this term.
Highlanders and Rhinos have endured hugely contrasting fortunes this season.
The soldiers have already lost 10 of their 18 games to date, managing just two wins and drawing six.
Highlanders edged Rhinos 1-0 in the reverse fixture.
In fact, Highlanders’ fine form, which has left their faithful believing that this could be their season, as they seek to match their form of 2012 when Zambian gaffer Kelvin Kaindu led them on a 23-match unbeaten run.
Despite Kaindu’s magnificent run, he could not claim the ultimate prize as Callisto Pasuwa’s trailblazing Dynamos pipped Bosso for the championship on goal difference.
Highlanders with 38 points have a five-point advantage over second-placed Ngezi Platinum but there is still plenty to play for in this campaign.
For all their indifferent start to the season, Rhinos being the soldiers they are, have not thrown in the towel and reckon that there is extra motivation in their bid to become the first side to stop Highlanders.
Rhinos spokesperson, Edward Mutukwa feels wants his team to make the result memorable as victory, if achieved would have come at fortress Barbourfields where Highlanders rarely give much.
“We are aiming for victory.
“Highlanders FC’s first defeat of the season will come this Sunday. We have prepared well and we want to be that side that beat Bosso for the first time in the 2023 season.
“They are our bogey side and we are confident of victory,” said Mutukwa.
Highlanders appeared to have changed tactics when they played Bulawayo Chiefs whom they beat 6-5 on penalties after the two teams had been deadlocked 2-2 in regulation time in a Chibuku Super Cup first round encounter at the same venue.
They pushed their men forward in attack and maintained their lines in defence but appeared vulnerable with their passing especially among the back four.
If faced by an alert strike force Bosso defenders could have been punished.
While Rhinos are looking to do the “unthinkable” at Barbourfields, the Premiership’s Match-Day 19 programme is laced with a number of exciting battles.
There is no doubting that focus will fall on Bata stadium in Gweru that will on Saturday host a potentially explosive encounter between CAPS United and Ngezi.
The following day, resurgent Sheasham will be at home against Dynamos seeking to avenge the 4-0 mauling they suffered on their visit to DeMbare at the National Sports Stadium.
Sheasham seem to have turned the corner since the arrival of much-travelled coach Lizwe Sweswe.
Elsewhere on Saturday, champions FC Platinum, who have struggled for league form will visit Cranborne Bullets at Nyamhunga in Kariba while inconsistent sides Simba Bhora and Chicken Inn clash at Baobab.
Fixtures:
Saturday: Bulawayo Chiefs v ZPC Kariba (Luveve), CAPS United v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Bata Stadium), Simba Bhora FC v Chicken Inn FC (Baobab), Cranborne Bullets v FC Platinum (Nyamhunga) Herentals v Green Fuel (Mandava)
Sunday: Highlanders v Black Rhinos (Barbourfields), Triangle v Manica Diamonds (Gibbo), Sheasham v Dynamos (Bata), Hwange v Yadah (Colliery).
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