admin
Mehluli Sibanda Acting Sports Editor
AFTER collecting just two points from a possible six, Highlanders go out gunning for victory when they come up against problematic opponents Caps United in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo this afternoon.
While they are unbeaten so far this season, the two draws at Barbourfields Stadium against Hwange and Chicken Inn are surely going to hurt their campaign and Bosso might be left to rue those missed opportunities in their quest to land their first title since 2006 come the end of the season.
On both occasions Highlanders failed to protect a one goal lead and allowed their opponents to come back and force a draw. What was more painful for the Bosso supporters against Chicken Inn last Thursday was that the Gamecocks, who were completely out of the match, were allowed to score the equalising goal in the last minute of five minutes of the referee’s optional time.
Goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya came out of his area in an effort to make a clearance and with the ball outside the box Diya managed to control it with his chest but slipped when he tried to clear allowing George Majika to score.
Diya wept uncontrollably after the match as the fans blamed him for the goal yet his defenders are the ones who should have been blamed for leaving him exposed.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu left for the United Kingdom for the final time as he completes his coaching course which means his assistant Mark Mathe is the man tasked with pleasing the club’s fans this afternoon.
Mathe said they spoke to the players after the draw against Chicken Inn to make them appreciate that such things happen in football especially if they do not make good use of the goal scoring opportunities that come their way. The Bosso assistant coach said the response from the players was pleasing.
“We spoke to the lads after the match, made them aware that this is part of the game, what is important is to regroup quickly and the boys responded well. We also spoke to Diya, we told him that such things happen and that can only make him stronger,’’ said Mathe.
Asked whether Diya who is the club’s leading goal scorer with three goals from the penalty spot and has also conceded the same number of goals was going to be in the starting line-up this afternoon, Mathe said whatever decision is going to be made would be in the best interest of both the team and the player.
There have been rumours that Diya would not be part of the 18 players for today’s match with Njabulo Nyoni and Ariel Sibanda the goalkeepers in the team but Mathe said such a decision has not yet been made when he spoke to this publication yesterday morning.
Mathe emphasised the need to return to winning ways, something Highlanders last did on 21 April when they clobbered Chiredzi United 3-0 at Chishamiso Stadium.
“There is a need to get back to winning ways, Caps United is a good outfit with a good coach but we have to use home advantage to get maximum points,’’ he said.
Mathe called on Bosso fans to forgive Diya and turn out in their numbers like they did against Chicken Inn.
Injuries continue to mount for Highlanders with Milton Ncube, the latest to join Gabriel Nyoni and Mthulisi Maphosa on the sidelines. Ncube suffered a hip injury against Chicken Inn which saw him being replaced by Joel Ngodzo in the second half.
Highlanders also have to reconsider their defensive options with skipper Innocent Mapuranga who was on the bench when Bosso took on Chicken Inn highly likely to make a return to partner Dumisani Ndlovu in the heart of the defence in place of Felix Chindungwe.
While Bruce Kangwa is a safe option at leftback, it is the rightback position where Highlanders continue to have problems. Simon Munawa and Eric Mudzingwa have been shuttling between midfield and the rightback spot.
Knox Mutizwa, in brilliant form at the start of the season put up an unimpressive show against Chicken Inn which saw him being withdrawn for Rahman Kutsanzira. Mutizwa, however, forms an integral part of the Bosso midfield with Kutsanzira, Ngodzo, Welcome Ndiweni and Kudakwashe Mahachi.
Ozias Zibande is once again expected to lead the Bosso hunt for goals with the assistance of Charles Sibanda.
Caps United caused lots of problems for Highlanders last season with the Green Machine collecting four points from Amahlolanyama. They beat Bosso 2-1 in Harare before securing a 0-0 draw in Bulawayo, a match that was filled with drama after referee Philani Ncube reversed a penalty decision he had awarded in favour of Caps United. He overturned the verdict following consultations with assistant referee Brighton Nyika.
To add to the drama on that day, Caps United defender Arnold Chivheya was also sent off for a second bookable offence.
Caps United come into today’s clash with two wins, the same number of draws and one defeat from the five matches they have played so far which gives them a total of eight points.
While Bosso drew with Chicken Inn, Makepekepe recorded a hard fought 2-1 win over Triangle at the National Sports Stadium.
Taurai Mangwiro will look to skipper Tapiwa Khumbuyani, seasoned goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube, Ronald Pfumidzai, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Tendai Samanja, Dominic Chungwa and Dominic Mukandi.
Defending champions Dynamos, humbled 1-0 by Chapungu last Thursday entertain Buffaloes at the National Sports Stadium, Black Rhinos welcome Chicken Inn to Rimuka Stadium in Kadoma while Triangle have a date with undefeated ZPC Kariba.
Fixtures
Highlanders v Caps United (Barbourfields Stadium), Dynamos v Buffaloes (National Sports Stadium), Black Rhinos v Chicken Inn (Rimuka Stadium), Triangle v ZPC Kariba (Gibbo Stadium)
Online Reporter