admin
Another mouthwatering encounter is on the offing at Hwange’s Colliery Stadium tomorrow where Highlanders will take on Monomotapa.
All the weekend games are exciting but all eyes will be on the Highlanders-Monomotapa clash which is more of a revenge mission for Bosso.
Monomotapa were the first team to hand the Bulawayo giants their first defeat of the season as they beat Bosso 3-0 in a Castle Lager Premiership match played in Harare last month.
Highlanders should be wary of their opponents who have declared that they want to reach the final.
“Mbada Diamonds Cup is important to us as it guarantees a Caf Confederation Cup slot. Our aim is to reach the final but we know that Highlanders will come out fighting in Hwange,” said Monomotapa coach, Biggie Zuze.
His Highlanders counterpart Kelvin Kaindu declared that they were ready for Monomotapa even though their preparations for the game have not been smooth due to players’ strike.
Highlanders’ players only started training on Wednesday having been on industrial action for a week.
Bosso leave for the coal-mining town this morning.
“We are ready for the game and the guys have been working hard since training resumed. This is not a league game where you are fighting for points but it’s a cup game where losing will cost you. The team knows how important the cup is and the incentives that are there. Otherwise everyone is ready for the game,” said Kaindu.
The Bulawayo giants will be hoping to have another fruitful trip to the Colliery as in their last visit they snatched a late winner with Masimba Mambare scoring the solitary goal against Hwange in a league match.
Monomotapa were in Hwange in May and they were clobbered 5-1 by the coalminers.
Highlanders will bank on national team goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda with Eric Mudzingwa expected to partner Dumisani “Fazo” Ndlovu at central defence while Atlast Musasa and Lawson Nkomo are fighting for a starting place at rightback.
Captain Innocent Mapuranga is a doubtful starter as he missed the better part of the training as he had gone to his rural home for his father’s funeral.
Kaindu might throw in a couple of youngsters for tomorrow’s game.
Arnold “Punkie” Ndiweni, Knox Mutizwa, Young Warriors’ striker Mgcini Sibanda, Ryan Howes and Bobby Nkomo are some of the youngsters who are looking forward to breaking into first team and they might have their wishes granted against Monomotapa.
The battle in Hwange is likely to be lost and in the midfield where Highlanders’ hopes will be pinned on Mthulisi Maphosa, maestro Mambare, Peter Moyo, Bhekimpilo Ncube and Simon Munawa.
The attacking players will be Milton Ncube, Ozias Zibande, Cleopas Dube, Beavan Chikaka and Graham Ncube.
Monomotapa coach predicted a tricky encounter as the players knew each other.
“We played them before and we know what to expect. The fact that players know each other makes the encounter a tricky one,” said Zuze.
Monomotapa will pin their hopes on Rodney Chitiyo who scored a hattrick when they knocked out Hardbody in the first round.
They also have Tendai Ngulube, Obey Mwerahari, Tawanda Nyamandwe, goalkeeper Joram Muchambo, Fidelis Mangezi, hard-running Kuda Musharu and Russell Madamombe in their camp.
Fixtures
Today: Caps United v Buffaloes (Gibbo), FC Platinum v Shabanie Mine (Mandava)
Tomorrow: Highlanders v Monomotapa (Colliery), Dynamos v Gunners (Baghdad).
Online Reporter