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Sikhumbuzo Moyo in BULAWAYO
CHAMPIONSHIP-chasing Highlanders received a timely boost ahead of their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against relegated Motor Action at Rufaro tomorrow after influential captain Innocent Mapuranga recovered from injury.
Mapuranga pulled a muscle in the later stages of their top-of-the-table clash with Dynamos at Barbourfields last Sunday which the Harare giants won 1-0 to shoot to the top of the table and remain firmly on course to win their third straight league title.
Acting head coach Bekithemba ‘Super’ Ndlovu confirmed that his captain was back in the fold and there was a possibility he would be part of the 11 Bosso royal warriors tasked with bringing the campaign back on track against bogey side Motor Action.
“Inno started light training and there is a huge chance that he will be part of the squad for the match on Sunday (tomorrow),” said Ndlovu.
He, however, said speed merchant Gabriel Nyoni was out of the match due to injury.
Also set to miss the tie is forward Njabulo Ncube who was red carded alongside Dynamos defence stalwart Partson Jaure last Sunday.
Skipper Mapuranga is a stabilising force in the Highlanders rearguard and his availability will bring confidence to the rest of the team who looked vulnerable after his injury-induced substitution on Sunday.
The situation was made worse by the technical team’s rather bizarre choice of replacement when they threw in Hillary Madzivanyika, a defensive midfielder who was a ball of nerves.
On preparations for the match where a loss or a draw would all but end their chances of a first league title since 2006, Ndlovu said the mental attitude of the team was superb following the weekend loss to Dynamos.
He said the team was even more motivated by a desire to make up for the Dynamos defeat and would vent their frustrations on Motor Action, the first team to hand them defeat in a league match this season.
“Everyone is itching to face Motor Action because remember they were the first side to hand us a defeat this season at home so as Highlanders we are saying we cannot lose twice to one team.
“They are already relegated and are psyched up obviously to complete a double over us hence the reason we are saying no to that,” said Ndlovu.
The Mighty Bulls have only lost once to Highlanders since 2010, the 1-2 defeat that Bosso inflicted on them on 2 September last year at Barbourfields.
The reverse fixture ended goalless while in 2011 the Harare side completed a double over Bosso, beating them 1-0 in Harare and 2-0 in Bulawayo.
Ndlovu is likely to stick to the same team that started against Dynamos with Beavan Chikaka set to partner Milton Ncube upfront.
Indications are that the team might adopt a 3-5-2 playing formation with Eric Mudzingwa, Dumisani Ndlovu and Mapuranga forming the defence while Mthulisi Maphosa, Masimba Mambare, Simon Munawa, Bruce Kangwa and Bhekimpilo Ncube will congest the midfield.
Highlanders trail leaders Dynamos and Harare City by a single point and all the three sides can ill-afford to slip up.
Harare City, under Bigboy Mawiwi, have remained calm despite the reality of them lifting their maiden league title right, right under the noses of the two Zimbabwe football giants, growing brighter by each passing week.
Online Reporter