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Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
SOCCER fans that are starved of local Premiership action will this afternoon throng Barbourfields Stadium where Highlanders takes on Chicken Inn a friendly match as the two teams prepare to the 2019 season.
The game gives the teams an opportunity to fine tune their preparations that began in earnest for Chicken Inn but it has been a tumultuous pre-season for Highlanders. Chicken Inn are coming from Malawi where they faced Malawi champions, Nyasa Bullets, Be Forward Wanderers and Clube Ferrovairo de Nampula of Mozambique.
Bosso have had to deal with a players’ industrial action that has seen most of the senior team players failing to train while the technical bench has had to give their attention to the Division One side, Bosso 90.
Highlanders coach, Madinda Ndlovu said the friendly will give him a chance to assess his players but believes he will be in a better position to talk about the squad after the game and the turn preparations will take going ahead.
The Bosso faithful will get a chance to watch some of the new boys in action today with the like of Cleopas Kapupurika, Mbekezeli Sibanda, goalkeeper Wellington Muuya and Russell Chifura set to feature in the game. Returning striker, Prince Dube is also likely to feature in the match and fans will be able to see if he still possesses the deft touches that saw him become a darling of Highlanders supporters.
Defenders, national Under-20 captain, Bukhosi Ncube and Vincent Moyo are also set to feature in the match as they have been training with the lower division side.
Chicken Inn, who have not hidden their title ambitions, are looking a strong side after roping in several players that include central midfielder Sipho Ndlovu who joined from Bulawayo City, Bret Amidu who was with FC Platinum, and Phakamani Dube, forwards, Valentine Kadonzvo and Panashe Mutasa who were with Dyanmos and from Ngezi Platinum they fished goalkeeper Donovan Bernard, defensive midfielder Tinashe Chipunza and striker Clive Augusto. Attacking midfielder, Ayanda Bravie Sibanda will also be featuring for the GameCocks this year although he joined the club last year but his papers were yet in order.
Online Reporter