Vusumuzi Dube
Ricky Zililo
Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Hwange midfielder Alick “Richo” Nyoni has warned Highlanders not to underestimate the coalminers, adding that the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League returnees have what it takes to stun Bosso.
Highlanders, unbeaten in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League this season with 11 points from five games, play host to Hwange who are a point behind them at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.
Bosso are having a good start to the season and having played a game less than Hwange as well as pacesetters Caps United, confidence amongst Highlanders’ players and followers is growing with each passing week.
Despite Highlanders’ bright start to the season, Nyoni, one of the finest players to emerge from Hwange, believes the coalminers have what it takes to shock Amahlolanyama.
The coalminers have done remarkable well since losing 1-0 to Dynamos on the first day of the season. Hwange recovered from the DeMbare loss by registering two consecutive victories against Yadah (2-1) and Green Fuel (3-0). Chipangano went on to share the spoils with Sheasham, playing to a 1-1 draw before suffering a 2-0 away defeat to newboys Simba Bhora.
Heading into today’s outing, Hwange are bubbling with confidence following last weekend’s 1-0 win against Cranborne Bullets.
“Hwange have been playing well and considering that they are always on the road every weekend while waiting for the Colliery Stadium to be approved for home games. The fighting spirit in Chipangano camp has been amazing. They’ve defied fatigue and I believe they can come up with a big win on Sunday. We’re travelling to Bulawayo to show our support to the boys and I’m confident we’ll return to Hwange with a positive result,” said Nyoni.
One of the outstanding players for Hwange is a Bosso juniors’ product, striker Brighton Makopa who has banged in four goals. Makopa leads the scorers’ table and would want to show his former masters what a talent they let go by giving a good performance.
Goalkeeper Nedrick Madeya, also a Highlanders product had been said to have a shoulder and back injury but Highlanders coach Baltemar Brito is not buying into that as he believes that is just mind games. Hwange also have veteran Canaan Nkomo, a former Chicken Inn and Bulawayo City midfielder to guide the lads against Bosso.
Another seasoned player, Thabani Goredema yesterday declared: “I know Bosso very well, but the excitement they have built in their camp and among supporters will come back to haunt them. I think they are over excited and we want to ruin that. Sifuna ibatshile umoya.”
Last weekend’s 2-0 away win against Yadah at the National Sports Stadium which came days after they lifted the Independence Cup where they beat Dynamos 5-3 after penalty shootouts playing with 10-man, showed remarkable character of Highlanders’ players. While Brito has clearly indicated his desire to shoot to the top of the table, his captain Ariel Sibanda remains modest.
“We’re learning with every game. Everyone wants to improve with every outing. We’re enjoying the good vibe and we want to try to keep the supporters happy as well, hence our everyday call for the followers to rally behind us in all the times because we need them,” said Sibanda.
The Bosso skipper said they will have the same attitude for the Hwange game, and fight for maximum points.
“There’s no team that is said to be small in the league and we respect all our opponents. Hwange are playing well, but we always try to focus on our side and try to correct our mistakes from the past game so that we keep improving and posting positive results,” said Sibanda.
Highlanders, who have claimed the scalps of Black Rhinos (winning away 1-0), champions FC Platinum who they beat 2-1 at Barbourfields Stadium, as well as Yadah, will want to add Hwange to the list of their casualties.
Only ZPC Kariba and Chicken Inn have managed to share spoils with Bosso. Highlanders’ attacking options have been widened following arrival of striker Calvin “Kung-Fu Panda” Chigonero who rose from the bench to score a brace against Yadah last weekend.
The 22-year-old forward is regarded as one of the brightest prospects for Highlanders and will be competing for a starting place with seasoned forward Stanley Ngala, Bosso’s 2021/22 season’s top scorer Lynoth Chikuhwa as well as Washington Navaya.
Bosso also have a solid defence led by Peter Muduhwa. The backline has Mbongeni Ndlovu and Andrew Mbeba. With left back Archiford Faira out with injury, Godfrey Makaruse is likely to come in, with the midfield quartet of Divne Mhindirira, McKinnon Mushore, Darlington Mukuli and Melikhaya Ncube.
— Follow on Twitter @ZililoR
Online Reporter