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DeMbare have an almost impossible task of overturning a 6-0 drubbing by Tunisian giants Esperance in the Caf Champions League second round first leg encounter in Tunisia. The return match is set for Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.
Dynamos were supposed to play Shabanie Mine at Maglas Stadium in Zvishavane.
Adam Ndlovu’s Chicken Inn will want to redeem themselves against Mutare-based Buffaloes at Luveve Stadium while another Bulawayo side Quelaton, still in shock after a $5 000 fine slapped on them for fielding a suspended player, will be away to a troubled Caps United whose Irish coach Sean Connor is under a lot of pressure to deliver. He was reportedly given three matches, two of which he has already lost and a loss to Quelaton could see him fired.
The supporters are agitated while the management tries to put a brave face but it is an all clear sign that the Irishman will certainly be on his way out if three points come to Bulawayo in a match that is likely to be played at an empty National Sports Stadium.
Zvishavane-based FC Platinum will take to the road to face league debutants Harare City at Gwanzura Stadium
For Highlanders fans, all roads lead to Barbourfields Stadium where their team has scored an incredible nine goals out of the 16 which they have scored in five games so far.
Bosso have been scoring freely in all their matches and like one columnist wrote last week, it looks like if you attempt to score or make the mistake of actually doing so, they will certainly return the favour and so far it has been the case.
However, on Sunday they come against a side that has lost just a single match and are in fifth position on the log with 11 points, the same as third and fourth-placed Chicken Inn and Shabanie Mine respectively.
In the reverse fixture at the same venue last year, the two teams played a goalless draw with Monomotapa collecting three points in Harare with a 1-0 win.
That statistic on its own should be a warning enough for the black and white army and it is no secret that the Harare side, under former Masvingo United and Zimbabwe Under-20 side coach, Taurai Mangwiro, will be Bosso’s biggest test yet.
Bosso’s defence should be wary of Tawanda Nyamandwe and Kuda Musharu who have been causing all sorts of problems for teams they have played so far while in defence, steady defender Fidelis Mangezi has to be at his best once more.
He has been the difference between a win and a defeat for Monos but on Sunday he too knows that it’s a very different ball game altogether against a very offensive Bosso.
Any player from Highlanders is a threat to the opponents’ defence with the situation made even more fiery by Kaindu’s decision to allow Simon Munawa to venture forward more frequently while Milton Ncube has a free role.
Midfield general Mthulisi Maphosa comes face to face with his former paymasters and will be expected to exert his authority as usual.
Beavan Chikaka, the only new signing yet to make his home debut, if given an opportunity to play, will also want to cement his relationship with Bosso faithfuls with a good performance on home soil. He already has a goal to his credit after scoring the equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Buffaloes.
Kaindu might choose to start with the same line-up that has unpredictable hitman Graham Ncube being the lone man upfront.
Fixtures:
Saturday: Chicken Inn v Buffaloes (Luveve); Gunners v Blue Rangers (Lafarge); Harare City v FC Platinum (Gwanzura); Caps United v Quelaton (National Sports Stadium); Motor Action v Hardbody (Motor Action Club).
Sunday: Highlanders v Monomotapa (Barbourfields); Hwange v Black Mambas (Colliery).
Online Reporter