Chronicle Editor
Fungai Muderere, [email protected]
AT a time when the local elite football league talk is heavily concentrated on a “football-less” capital city, in a rare development the country’s former Cup Kings, Caps United will head to Bulawayo for their home tie, their 30th most recent league date against Highlanders set for Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
The two antagonists have over the years been among the traditional local football giants and this year’s first installment between the two sides, that was initially set for National Sports Stadium three weeks ago, has arguably been the most-anticipated match in recent days.
A single match it may well be, but its significance stretches beyond just this weekend given the wider context of the achievements of the two clubs, who have been starved of the league championship trophy for a long time.
From the 30 outings they have played so far, Makepekepe have won 12 with Bosso posting 10 triumphs.
Eight games between the two sides have ended in stalemates. That is, there have been five home draws and three away for the Black and White army.
On the other hand, the Green Machine has managed to grind three home draws and five home stalemates against the Bulawayo giants.
Lloyd Chitembwe’s Caps have scored 34 goals (29 home and five away) past Amahlolanyama.
On the contrary, Bosso have found the back of the net against the green half of the capital 29 times (18 home and 11 away)
From a possible 90 points, Makepekepe have managed to collect 44 points from Bosso, that is 36 in Harare at Rufaro Stadium and eight at Emagumeni.
The calculator therefore suggests that Caps United are so far on a 49 percent success rate.
While odds are so much in favour for CAPS United to get the better of Highlanders, after 12 rounds of play this season, the latter has been in brilliant form amassing 22 as compared to the former’s 17.
Bosso, who in their previous match edged Bulawayo Chiefs 1- 0, have so far scored a total of nine goals this season, five home and four away, boasting of a mean re-arguard that has conceded three goals (two at Barbourfields and one on the road).
The City of Kings and Queens football aristocrats have kept nine clean sheets and they meet a Caps United side that has also found the back of the net on nine occasions in the process picking the ball from the back of the net six times.
Caps, who will go for their Sunday tie smarting from a 2-1 defeat at the hands of army side Cranborne Bullets, have seven clean sheets under their belt.
In terms of average goals scored per match, Highlanders are on 0.75 while Caps United are on 0.82
With regards to average goals scored conceded this far in the 2023 season per match, the calculator points to the fact that Bosso are on 0.25 and their nemesis are on 0.55
Saturday
Bulawayo Chiefs vs Green Fuel (Luveve), Manica Diamonds vs Sheasham (Gibbo), FC Platinum vs Chicken Inn (Mandava), Ngezi Platinum vs Hwange (Baobab), ZPC Kariba vs Yadah (Nyamhunga)
Sunday
Caps United vs Highlanders (Barbourfields Stadium), Black Rhinos vs Dynamos (Bata Stadium), Triangle vs Cranborne Bullets ( Gibbo Stadium), Herentals vs Simba Bhora ( Mandava Stadium)
— @FungaiMuderere
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