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Innocent Kurira
HIGHLANDERS coach Kelvin Kaindu insists that his squad is not troubled by disciplinary issues ahead of their league derby tie against across-town rivals Chicken Inn at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday in a Premier Soccer League tie.
Defender Andrew Mbeba has been out of the Bosso squad for some weeks while Peter Muduhwa appears to have been stripped of the captaincy after pictures of him imbibing with a fellow teammate after working hours did rounds on social media. Muduhwa will also miss the match due to suspension after accumulating three yellow cards, while Chicken Inn will do without defender Itai Mabhunu. According to the PSL, 11 players have been suspended this weekend for accumulating three yellow cards across the league.
Kaindu has been coy on details regarding Mbeba’s absence but rumours have it Mbeba’s absence is due to disciplinary measures by the club. Youngster Prince Ndlovu is said to have also been suspended by Kaindu earlier in the season for indiscipline. However, Kaindu had a simple and straight answer when asked if there was indiscipline in the team.
“No, there is no indiscipline in the team,” said Kaindu. Kaindu said there are some injury concerns as they prepare for the derby and is worried by the depth of his squad. Despite the concerns, he said there are some recoveries from some of his key players who have been on the sidelines over the past couple of weeks.
“In terms of preparations, we have a bit of good and bad news. We still have our injured players who are still out. However, Marvin Sibanda and Godfrey Makaruse have resumed light training. During our last game we had Pitisi also getting injured. I cannot go much into detail over Faira but he will not be available for some time. In terms of depth, that gives us a disadvantage,” said Kaindu.
Kaindu is well aware of the fact that his team has not done well in derbies this season. Out of a possible 12 points, Highlanders have only collected five. They lost to Chicken Inn 2-1 and drew with Bulawayo Chiefs 1-1 before a goalless draw against Arenel Movers.
However, they managed to beat Bulawayo Chiefs 0-2 in the second round of fixtures. The victory over Chiefs is a confidence booster.“We haven’t done well in derbies. In the first round, we dropped points but in the second round we have improved,” said Kaindu.
Ahead of the game, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has turned down a bid from Chicken Inn to hike gate charges for the match. In a leaked memo, PSL said the Bulawayo derby gate charges will not be hiked.“We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 19 August 2024 and advice that your request to increase gate charges has not been approved. Gate charges for your match against Highlanders shall remain as follows: rest of ground US$3, VIP US$5, VVIP $10,” the PSL wrote.
Chicken Inn will be the home side on Sunday and a big crowd is expected for the city’s biggest derby. In other matches, Arenel Movers will face ZPC Kariba at Luveve Stadium on Saturday. Their preparations for the game have not been smooth as they missed some days of training because of failure to pay for their training facility.
Bulawayo Chiefs will travel to Shamva for a date with Simba Bhora while Herentals face GreenFuel at Rufaro Stadium. On Sunday, CAPS United face Manica Diamonds at Rufaro Stadium. FC Platinum will travel to Mutare for a date with Bikita Minerals.
Fixtures: Saturday
Arenel vs ZPC Kariba (Luveve), Herentals vs Greenfuel (Rufaro), Simba Bhora vs Bulawayo Chiefs (Wadzanayi)
Sunday
Chicken Inn vs Highlanders (Barbourfields), Bikita Minerals vs FC Platinum (Sakubva), Caps United vs Manica Diamonds (Rufaro), Chegutu vs Yadah (Baobab) -@innocentskizoe
derick.khumalo