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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS FC have turned to young Gabriel Nyoni for redemption ahead of the Mbada Diamonds Cup final at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday. Despite winning 3-1 against Shabanie Mine on Sunday, Highlanders wasted over a dozen gilt-edged chances to blow away their chances of clinching the championship.
An extra three goals would have been enough for Bosso to win their first league title since 2006.
Coach Kelvin Kaindu confirmed yesterday that they had designed a special programme to accommodate the player who is writing his marketing examinations at the National University of Science and Technology.
Bosso have to work on their strike force ahead of the showdown with How Mine whom they have never scored against in their only two meetings.
The Bulawayo giants will be facing How Mine for the third time this year having lost both their league encounters. Those six points made a lot of difference to Bosso’s championship aspirations which were further dented by a 4-0 humiliation by Harare City in Week 29 which ultimately cost Bosso the title.
In the first league match, Bosso lost 2-1 benefiting from a Hebert Dick own goal. Dick went on to equalise for the miners before former Highlanders striker Nqobile Mpala got the winner for the league debutantes.
It was also a former Highlanders player Warren Dube who returned to Barbourfields Stadium to haunt Bosso with a fine volley on Week 21 as How Mine completed their double with a 1-0 win.
On Saturday, the question is: will former Highlanders players at How Mine spell doom for Bosso who are seeking solace in the Mbada Diamonds Cup after missing the championship on an inferior goal difference to Dynamos for the second successive season?
Despite scoring the most goals (45) in the Premiership, Highlanders have been wasteful in front of goal failing to convert most chances that they create.
Even on the last day of the championship on Sunday against Shabanie Mine, Bosso, who won the game 3-1 courtesy of a brace by Milton Ncube and a strike by the club’s leading goal scorer Njabulo Ncube, fluffed a lot of chances.
Masimba Mambare, Peter ‘Rio’ Moyo, Bheki Ncube, Heritein Masuku, Ozias Zibande and Milton Ncube took turns to miss glaring chances.
To increase his attacking options, Highlanders’ coach Kaindu has organised special training sessions for his strikers which are meant to accommodate their Mbada Diamonds Cup leading goal scorer Gabriel Nyoni who has two goals to his account.
Nyoni was ruled out of the Shabanie Mine match as he was preparing for his examinations and Kaindu yesterday said they don’t want to interfere with the player’s academic programme.
The availability of the speed merchant, who needs to score at least a goal on Saturday to claim the tournament’s Golden Boot Award which has a $1 000 prize money, is a boost for Highlanders.
“We can’t take Gabriel out of school and right now he is pre-occupied with his examinations. We are working on coming up with a training programme that will either see his training held early in the morning with some guys or after our normal session. He is a brilliant player who I would like to be part of the squad as we prepare for the final,” said Kaindu.
He said veteran Njabulo Ncube is still limping after picking up a knock against Shabanie Mine on Sunday but is hopeful that he will recover in time.
On Monday Highlanders had a light training session and yesterday all the players reported for training with the team doctor expected to assess Dumisani “Fazo” Ndlovu and Mthulisi Maphosa who missed their team’s last match due to injury.
Maphosa trained with the club despite his alleged off the field problems.
How Mine have been solid at the back throughout the competition, with seasoned Dick, Gilbert Banda, Nyasha Mukumbi and Brighton Dube marshaling the defence well.
They beat Black Rhinos 1-0 in the first round and also sailed past Dynamos in the quarter-finals with an identical scoreline.
How Mine booked a place in the final after beating Caps United 4-2 after a penalty shootout in a drama-filled encounter which saw Caps United marshals breaking into the miners’ dressing room with photojournalists in tow during the first half. The Harare club found burning candles surrounding bottles with liquid stuff which the miners said were their team’s prayers.
Going into Saturday’s game, How Mine are coming from a 2-2 draw with relegated Tripple B at Beitbridge.
Despite booting out 2011 and 2012 Mbada Diamonds Cup champions Dynamos and Caps United, How Mine’s coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube said they go into the final as underdogs.
“We have had a good run in this competition and I think this underdogs tag which we are comfortable with has relieved pressure from us. It is not by sheer luck that we are in the final but unity of purpose, the desire to win by the players and planning has been key to our fine run. We are looking forward to Saturday and we will go to Barbourfields Stadium to compete for a positive result,” Ncube said.
Shot-stopper Ephraim Mazarura, who has conceded two goals up to the final, is in the running for the Goalkeeper of the Tournament accolade which goes with a $1 000 cash prize.
Throughout the tournament, Ncube has preferred to play with five defenders Dick, Dube, Banda, Mukumbi and Khumbulani Banda, with Soccer Star of the Year finalist Menard Mupera, Thembani Masuku and Ocean Mpofu doing well in midfield to thwart their opponents’ raids.
For attacking options, How Mine have Simba Sithole, Qinani Sibanda, Sizalobuhle Dube, Mpala and Simon Njeleza to choose from.
Meanwhile Highlanders chairman Peter Dube has hailed club supporters for their role throughout the year.
“They have been fantastic coming in great numbers to home matches and in hundreds to away games. They have been an essential 12th player,” said Dube.
He called on them not to jump into the stadium after the final whistle on Saturday as that warrants a PSL fine.
“There is a heavy fine for that. We know they want to celebrate but for the security of the officials, sponsors and the players that is not allowed, we would be happy to see them on the terraces observing proceedings from there,” said Dube.
Last Sunday, fans poured onto the pitch to celebrate their team’s second finish. The police handled the situation well persuading the fans to leave the pitch in a way that left the fans to oblige without the situation getting out of hand.
Pitch invasion is discouraged by the league.
Fixtures
Mbada Diamonds Cup final
Saturday: Highlanders v How Mine (Barbourfields Stadium)
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