Chronicle Editor
Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER going for a massive three months without registering a defeat at their Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva, free-spending Simba Bhora will this afternoon entertain battered Highlanders in a potentially exciting Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final match.
This will be the third meeting between the two teams after two Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches that were played at Bosso’s favourite hunting ground Barbourfields and the second leg tie at Wadzanai Stadium which Simba Bhora won 2-1.
In the first leg, Bosso prevailed 1-0.
Simba Bhora, who last lost a match on 22 June when they fell 1-0 away to FC Platinum, are yet to lose in 10 league matches and one cup game played in Shamva in the last three months.
On their way to the Chibuku Super Cup last eight, Tonderai Ndiraya’s star-studded side Simba Bhora eliminated Herentals College after a 4-3 penalty lottery.
The match had ended nil-all in regulation time.
In search of their semi-final berth in the country’s biggest knockout tournament, Simba Bhora now face a bruised Bosso who are smarting from a 3-2 PSL defeat they suffered at the hands of CAPS United last weekend in Harare.
On the other hand, to book their quarter-final place, Bosso doused Greenfuel 3-0 at Emagumeni with Melikhaya Ncube, Nqobile Ndlovu and Marvellous Chigumira finding the back of the net.
It does not need chameleonic caution to say Amahlonyama, who will be without the services of the young trio of Prince Ndlovu, Mvelo Khoza, Nigel Banda, the injured duo of Marvin Sibanda and reliable left-back Archford Faira, will need to be at their very best in their bid to claim the Simba Bhora scalp.
“Our last game was probably our most painful loss given we were leading 2-0. But when a football match has ended we have to focus on the next game. What is important is to bring back the confidence in everyone.
“This is the team that has made the fans remain singing after the match has ended. So our job is to focus on what we are doing. Win or lose, we focus on the next game that is coming,” said Kaindu.
Bosso are 15 points adrift of log leaders Simba Bhora with eight games to play before the end of the 2024 season, meaning their only realistic chance for cup glory is the Chibuku Super Cup.
Kaindu will not have it easy against Simba Bhora, who are yet to lose in 13 games in all competitions at their home ground.
Kaindu knows his charges have to get their act together to get a positive result from this game.
Highlanders lost 2-1 at Wadzanai in a league game played in July.
Ndiraya and his charges are seven points from second-placed FC Platinum and any local football enthusiast could be pardoned for tipping them for the league and cup double.
With gifted captain Walter Musona, Junior Makunike, Marlvin Mkolo, Billy Veremu, Mthokozisi Msebe, striker Perfect Chikwende, and combative Patson Jaure among others, in the Simba ranks, it is certainly game on at Wadzanai Stadium.
On the other hand Bosso gaffer Kaindu has been has been hard done by the relentless series of injuries and hold-ups, illustrating he has been unable to field what he sees as his best team all term.
The Chibuku Super Cup presents an opportunity for Kaindu and his technical team to re-endear themselves to the Bosso faithful.
Kaindu has remained unruffled despite the growing speculation about his job.
“Looking at the points’ difference (15 points) with the team that is on top, it makes it very difficult, but football being football, we still hope, but our biggest hope now is to focus on the Chibuku.
“Our last game was probably our most painful loss given we were leading 2-0. But when football has passed we have to focus on the next game. What is important is to bring back the confidence in everyone. These are the same guys that have made the fans remain singing after the match has ended. So our job is to focus on what we are doing. Win or lose, we focus on the next game that is coming,” said Kaindu. – @FungaiMuderere
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter