Bosso aim to extend unbeaten streak against Herentals

HIGHLANDERS have never lost against Herentals in the league since 2018, when The Students were promoted to the top-flight. They will be hoping to maintain this record when the two teams clash at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

Highlanders and Herentals have met nine times in the league. From those meetings, Bosso has registered five wins, while the other four contests ended in stalemates. When the two teams met in the first leg at Rufaro Stadium back in April, Bosso surrendered a two-goal lead, and the match ended in a two-all draw.

Bosso coach, Kelvin Kaindu, has an idea of what to expect from Herentals come Sunday. “I think it’s difficult to predict. They have that zeal to fight. I think in the first round we played against them, we had a 2-0 lead, and they came from behind and managed to equalise. They are forceful in the final third. They have the height, and they sometimes use that to their advantage by playing long balls into the box,” said Kaindu.

Bosso will welcome back defender Peter Muduhwa, who missed the game last week owing to a yellow card suspension. Winger Godfrey Makaruse is also expected to return from injury, while the Bosso medical team is keeping a close eye on Never Rauzhi, who could be fit for the tie. Youngster Prince Ndlovu and Marvin Sibanda are on the injury list.

Herentals coach Paul Benza says they will not be making any special plans for Bosso on Sunday. “It’s not a big challenge because, for me, all the teams in the league are equal. There is no easy team. All the teams are hard top, and they are playing good football. We are going to do what we have been doing in our previous games.

We are going to play our own football, try to maximise our strengths, and hope we get the desired results. The boys must enjoy football. We are now out of the Chibuku Super Cup, and we are now concentrating on league games.

The boys enjoy football, and I always tell them if they fail to enjoy football, it’s going to be painful for them.”
In other matches, Ngezi Platinum and Dynamos will return to action after representing the country in Africa in the last fortnight to face Yadah and Chegutu Pirates, respectively. Chicken Inn will travel to the Colliery Stadium for a date with Hwange.

Highlanders are in position three on the table with 38 points, while Herentals are in eighth position with 32 points.

Fixtures

Today
Bulawayo Chiefs v TelOne (Luveve Stadium), Yadah v Ngezi (Heart Stadium), GreenFuel v Caps United ( GreenFuel Arena), ZPC Kariba v FC Platinum ( Nyamhunga) Simba Bhora v Bikita Minerals ( Wadzanayi Stadium)

Tomorrow
Dynamos v Chegutu Pirates (Rufaro Stadium), Hwange v Chicken Inn ( Colliery Stadium), Highlanders v Herentals (Barbourfields Stadium), Manica Diamonds v Arenel (Sakubva Stadium)