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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
WILL Bulawayo giants Highlanders FC be able to stop ZPC Kariba’s Castle Lager Premiership juggernaut when they clash at Gwanzura Stadium on Sunday?Football enthusiasts and pundits are already debating as to who will prevail with maximum points when the two teams which are yet to lose after six rounds of matches meet.
Both teams had emphatic victories last weekend with Bosso dismantling Caps United 4-0 at Barbourfields Stadium while ZPC Kariba were 5-1 winners on the road to Triangle.
Highlanders’ superb display against the Green Machine left many convinced that if they maintain their form, then they can be taken as serious contenders for the title.
Even the Bosso assistant coach Mark Mathe who was in charge of the game against Caps United has spoken about a need to maintain consistency in their quest for victory.
“What is important is for us to maintain a winning culture. We have lots of respect for ZPC Kariba for they have a good coach, equally good players and they are yet to be beaten. Surely a team that has done this well in their debut Premiership season deserves respect.
“We are going to Harare to compete and as always, we prepare to get maximum points and the match against ZPC Kariba is not different,” said Mathe.
The Bulawayo giants and ZPC Kariba are tied on 12 points from six matches with Highlanders sitting on top of the table due to a superior goal difference.
The club from Kariba which is using Gwanzura as their makeshift home has shown that they mean business having already claimed the scalps of defending champions Dynamos who they beat 1-0 and even picked a point against Caps United.
With seasoned players like Limited Chikafa, Pride Tafirenyika, Norman Togara, Pardon Chinungwa, ex-Monomotapa’s Obey Mwerahari, Caleb Masocha, striker Tawanda Nyamandwe, Tawanda Munyanduri and David Rediyoni all captured from Caps United, Highlanders should be wary of their opponents.
Moses Makanje who turned out for Tripple B last season, Tsepo Ranthokoane and goalkeeper Tonderayi Mateyaunga are also part of ZPC Kariba’s squad.
“It is anyone’s game. A team that prepares well and is good on the day of the match will win. We have prepared and the players know what to do. I think it is going to be a good game,” said ZPC Kariba coach Saul Chaminuka.
He is aware of how deadly Highlanders can be but is not losing sleep over Bosso’s last performance.
Highlanders will be hoping that Ozias Zibande continues with his goalscoring form with their midfielders expected to thread clean passes to their strikers.
It was an improved performance by the club underlying the fact that attacking is enhanced when you play a striker who sticks to the box. Zibande and his replacement Cleopas Dube scored because the balls found them in the box.
As has been the case in their opening six matches, Erick Mudzingwa is expected to maintain the midfield shape playing as an anchorman with Welcome Ndiweni who had a good game against Caps United playing in front of him while Kudakwashe Mahachi and Rahman Kutsanzira or Knox Mutizwa will be deployed as wingers.
Charles Sibanda or Milton Ncube who missed the Caps United match could partner Zibande upfront.
Mathe did well to introduce young striker Mgcini Sibanda who came close in the closing stages of the match. Other juniors waiting on the wings are the brilliant trio of Gracious Chakafana, Godknows Makaruse and Bothwell Nyathi.
Captain Innocent Mapuranga will lead from the back partnering Dumisani “Fazo” Ndlovu in central defence with wingbacks Bruce Kangwa and Simon Munawa completing the backline.
Meanwhile, in Bulawayo Chicken Inn and How Mine clash in a derby tomorrow at Luveve Stadium while Hwange will play host to Bantu Rovers on Sunday.
Reigning champions Dynamos travel to Zvishavane seeking redemption against Shabanie Mine following their 1-0 defeat to Buffaloes last week.
Fixtures
Today: Harare City v Triangle United (Rufaro, 3PM SS)
Tomorrow: Caps United v Black Rhinos (National Sports Stadium, 3PM SS), Chicken Inn v How Mine (Luveve), Chiredzi v Chapungu (Chishamiso)
Sunday: ZPC Kariba v Highlanders (Gwanzura, 3PM SS), Shabanie Mine v Dynamos (Maglas), Buffaloes v FC Platinum (Sakubva), Hwange v Bantu Rovers (Colliery)
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