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Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS are set to unleash Zimbabwe international striker Simba Sithole in their TM Pick n Pay Challenge Cup showdown against Dynamos before an expected full-house at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow. The Bulawayo giants have completed the signing of Sithole, who had a short stint at South African Premiership side Ajax Cape Town this year, and have now registered him for their domestic campaign.
The hard-running forward, who is expected to boost the Highlanders’ attack in the final countdown in the league championship race, is set to make his debut for Bosso tomorrow after he was included in their 18-man squad for the TM Pick n Pay Challenge Cup.
Both teams have named their 18-man squads, in line with international standards, and the inclusion of Sithole was the talking point of the team that Bosso will send into battle against their eternal rivals at the giant stadium.
Sithole proved to be a regular goalscorer, on the domestic scene, for How Mine before impressing the Ajax Cape Town scouts with a strong performance, while leading the line, for the Warriors at the CHAN finals in South Africa earlier this year.
But the pacy forward found the going tough at Ajax Cape Town, where he was given limited opportunities, and when the team changed their coach, with the coming in of Roger da Sar, Sithole was deemed excess to requirements and released by the club.
On his return home he chose to join Bosso, instead of his old team How Mine, and he is set to make his debut for his new team on the big stage of the TM Pick n Pay Challenge Cup final before an expected big crowd at the giant stadium tomorrow.
Highlanders have also included leading goal-scorer, Charles Sibanda, who was unavailable when they were held to a goalless draw in a league match against Moses Chunga’s Buffaloes at Hartsfield on Wednesday.
Midfielder Pasca Manhanga, on loan at Bosso from Triangle, has also been named in the squad after missing the tie against Buffaloes.
Both Highlanders and Dynamos have shown their respect for the TM Pick n Pay Challenge Cup by naming their strongest possible squads with Callisto pasuwa recalling Washington Pakamisa, scorer of two goals in his last two matches, who was unavailable for the win against Chiredzi.
But Congolese showman, Fabrice Mbimba, who impressed in a cameo show in the win over Chiredzi, has not been named in the squad.
There is a place, though, for Rodreck Mutuma, the self-style Prince, who scored twice against Chiredzi on his return from suspension.
Skipper Murape Murape, who always reserves his best for the big ties against Highlanders and CAPS United, has also been named in the 18-man squad.
The winners of the TM Pick n Pay Challenge Cup will take home US$60 000 while the losers will walk home with US$50 000. But there is always more at stake, than just the rich financial pickings, when Bosso and DeMbare clash.
Teams
HIGHLANDERS FC
NAME JERSEY NUMBER
Ariel Sibanda 01
Munyardazi Diya 16
Erick Mudzingwa 24
Dumisani Ndlovu 22
Innocent Mapuranga 15
Bruce Kangwa 12
Webster Chingodza 32
Hillary Madzivanyika 17
Felex Chindungwe 19
Simon Munava 3
Joel Ngodzo 28
Gabriel Nyoni 27
Rahman Kutsanzira 5
Pasca Manhanga 99
Charles Sibanda 7
Simbarashe Sithole 36
Kudzanai Machazane 35
Njabulo Ncube 82
DYNAMOS FC
Name Jersey Number
Mukandi Artwell 25
Blessing Moyo 32
Augustine Mbara 29
Themba Ndhlovu 21
Ocean Mushure 3
Magorimbo Thomas 2
Murape Murape 11
Alimenda Stephen 18
Mukanga Walter 8
Chitiyo Ronald 7
Rusike Tafadzwa 10
Pakamisa Washington 9
Mukuruva Tatenda 16
Rodreck Mutuma 35
Simba Sithole 19
Elisha Muroiwa 36
Tawanda Muparati 4
Sidney Linyama 6
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter