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Fungai Muderere
HIGHLANDERS will for the umpteenth time engage in a crucial match without a full squad after the young trio of Mvelo Khoza, Prince Dube and Nigel Banda were called up for the 2024 Cosafa Cup tournament squad that will play in Mozambique from September 26 to October 5.
The Bosso players were called for national team duty days before their club meets Simba Bhora in a Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final to be played at Wadzanai Stadium on Sunday.
“We are going to play a Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final against Simba Bhora. In terms of preparations, we have good news and some sad news. The good news is that Raphael Pitisi (goalkeeper) is back. He should be doing full training with other goalkeepers today (Thursday).
“The sad news which is somehow like good news is that three of our players have been called to be with the national Under-20 team. They travelled with the national team which is somehow a disadvantage for us in terms of team selection. However, in football you have to work with what you have,” said Highlanders head coach Kelvin Kaindu.
He also revealed that the gifted duo of left back Archford Faira and midfielder Marvin Sibanda were still yet to regain their full fitness. Faira and Sibanda have been out for a couple of weeks in a development that has continuously compelled Kaindu and his lieutenants to temper with their starting eleven week in week out.
Free spending and star studded Simba Bhora are yet to taste defeat at Wadzanai Stadium this season. Dynamos, who beat Ngezi Platinum Stars 2-0 in last year’s final Baobab Stadium to lift the coveted trophy, have had their quarter-final match against Yadah Stars postponed as they are representing the country in the Caf Confederation Cup.
Takesure Chiragwi-coached Ngezi Platinum Stars will on Saturday take on Caps United at Baobab Stadium. Madamburo eliminated Bulawayo Chiefs from the country’s prestigious knockout tournament while Makepekepe booted out Bikita Minerals.
Jairos Tapera’s Manica Diamonds charges will fight it out against FC Platinum at Mutare’s Sakubva Stadium.The Gem Boys recently edged Pure Platinum Play 1-0 in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) that dented the latter’s chances of winning the league title.
Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final fixtures
Saturday: Ngezi Platinum Stars v Caps United (Baobab), Manica Diamonds v Fc Platinum (Sakubva).
Sunday: Simba Bhora v Highlanders (Wadzanai), Dynamos vYadah (Postponed)
Young Warriors COSAFA Cup Squad
Goalkeepers
Joseph Kaunda (Manica Diamonds), Michael Kubvedzi (ZPCKariba), Tatenda Chikowero (Ngezi Platinum)
Defenders
Allan Karakadzai (Simba Bhora), Alla Chapinduka (TelOne FC),Hebert Dick Jr (Arenel Movers), Blessed Mashonganyika (Ngezi Platinum),Kurainashe Musanhi (Crystal Palace), Mvelo Khoza (Highlanders)
Midfielders
Kennedy Mupomba (Chelmsford City FC), Alvin Antonio (GreenFuel), Denzel Mapuwa (Green Fuel), Prince Ndlovu (Highlanders), Kingsley Mureremba (Caps United), Morris Musamba (Bikita Minerals), Enock Moyo (Bikita Minerals), Tanaka Munemo (Ngezi Platinum), Nesbert Muzenda (Ngezi Platinum),Sean Mzinde (Harare City), Prince Magondo (Black Rhinos), Mavel Mbedzi(Dynamos), Craig Ndlovu (Chicken Inn), Mafios Chiweta (Ajax Hotspurs), Munashe Munenzva
Forwards
Nokutenda Mangezi (Supersport United), Nigel Banda(Highlanders), Tanaka Cherera (Bury FC), Messi Gushero (Dulibadzimu FC)
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