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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Highlanders juggernaut rolls into Harare tomorrow for a top-of-the-table clash with new boys ZPC Kariba at Gwanzura Stadium.
Highlanders are determined to come back home with three points. They are one of two Bulawayo sides that are away this weekend with Bantu Rovers taking their act to Hwange, a side that had until last Saturday, been unbeaten. They brushed aside all that came before them until Philani ‘Beefy’ Ncube, the How Mine coach, came along.
He beat them 2-0 at Luveve Stadium, although Hwange gaffer Nation Dube blamed fatigue on the part of his boys, having played a game barely 48 hours before the How Mine match.
The other two Bulawayo sides, How Mine and Chicken Inn, will be involved in a battle for supremacy and bragging rights at Luveve Stadium this afternoon.
Both sides had shaky starts to their campaign and look to have warmed up at the right time, setting the stage for a bruising battle.
But the real deal is at Gwanzura Stadium tomorrow afternoon, a clash that will probably leave only one team in the league unbeaten.
Bosso invade the capital for the first time in their Castle Lager Premiership run this season to face the Saul Chaminuka-coached side who despite their chaotic entry into the league where they were almost booted out after delays in their registration, are yet to lose.
The Bulawayo giants too have not tasted defeat, posting three wins and an equal number of draws, just like their opponents tomorrow.
Highlanders though do not have fond memories of their last two visits to the capital after they were mauled 4-0 by a rampaging Harare City in a crucial league match last season and followed that with a 2-0 loss to bitter rivals Dynamos in the Bob90 Super Cup in March.
A win will consolidate their position at the apex of the table.
Bosso will be without Rahman Kutsanzira due to a groin injury. Kutsanzira scored a gem of a goal in the 4-0 pummelling of Caps United last Sunday.
With seasoned players like Limited Chikafa, Pride Tafirenyika, Norman Togara, Pardon Chinungwa, ex-Monomotapa’s Obey Mwerahari, Caleb Masocha, striker Tawanda Nyamandwe, Tawanda Munyanduri and David Rediyoni, Highlanders should be wary of their opponents.
Caretaker coach Mark Mathe, while conceding that it’s going to be a tough encounter, did not mince his words on their intentions.
“We are going out there to get maximum points. It’s a tough match yes but we are equally prepared,” said Mathe.
He said the mental strength of the boys will also be key to their mission tomorrow.
“We are away from home and we know that we will be playing against many forces besides our opponents who naturally will enjoy the support of other teams’ fans but the boys just need to be focused and be mentally strong,” said Mathe.
Amahlolanyama could face a hostile reception, what with their ruthless demolition of Caps United, who take on Black Rhinos at the National Sports Stadium today.
Bosso will likely keep the same demolition men with Ariel Sibanda standing between the posts while Simon Munawa and either Bruce Kangwa or Khumbulani Banda operating from the left back. Kangwa has been training despite a knock and the coaches might not want to risk him.
Ageless skipper Innocent Mapuranga and his central defence partner Dumisani Fazo Ndlovu will complete Bosso’s rearguard. Erick Mudzingwa, brilliant in his anchorman’s role since the season started, will be the home team’s first stumbling block in midfield.
The midfield, so crucial for any team, will also have Welcome Ndiweni, who covered every blade of grass last Sunday. Milton Ncube is set to make a return with Kudakwashe Mahachi completing the Bosso engineroom. Young Ozias Zibande and Charles Sibanda could be the twin strikers although the 2010 Soccer Star of the Year, Sibanda, plays better as an assist striker.
The club from Kariba which is using Gwanzura as their home ground has shown that they mean business having already claimed the scalps of defending champions Dynamos who they beat 1-0 and even picked a point against Caps United.
Last week they left the sugarcane town of Chiredzi in mourning after mauling Triangle 5-1.
Dynamos visit the fortress of Maglas Stadium to take on Shabanie Mine who are yet to drop points at home. Complacency on the part of the John Phiri-coached boys could be their biggest enemy but on the other hand, the Harare giants are known to be at their most potent when underestimated.
Fixtures:
Today: Caps United v Black Rhinos (National Sports Stadium, 3PM SS), Chicken Inn v How Mine (Luveve), Chiredzi v Chapungu (Chishamiso)
Tomorrow: ZPC Kariba v Highlanders (Gwanzura, 3PM SS), Shabanie Mine v Dynamos (Maglas), Buffaloes v FC Platinum (Sakubva), Hwange v Bantu Rovers (Colliery)
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