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Ricky Zililo, Sports Reporter
BATTLE lines have been drawn for almost all the intriguing Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches set for the weekend.
Action in the City of Kings starts today when wounded Chicken Inn play host to relegation threatened Shabanie Mine at Luveve Stadium.
Tomorrow, Luveve Stadium will once again play host to a high profile encounter when defending champions Dynamos will be hoping to complete a double over How Mine who they beat 3-0 a fortnight ago.
Bulawayo giants Highlanders are involved in a “Battle of the Cities” affair against rejuvenated Caps United at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
The three out of Bulawayo clubs – Shabanie Mine, Dynamos and Caps United come to the City of Kings bubbling with confidence after beating their opponents in the reverse fixtures, two weeks ago.
Caps United are on position five with 26 points from 15 matches and a victory will see them equalling Bosso who they trail by three points.
Highlanders lost 2-1 in the first leg at the National Sports Stadium with Caps United getting their goals from Dominic Chungwa who played for Highlanders in an off-season game against Chicken Inn and Leonard Fiyado.
Milton Ncube got Highlanders’ consolation goal.
Josephat Rwafa, the Caps United manager said they are coming to Bulawayo for “positive” results.
Caps United will be without suspended striker Tawanda Nyamandwe while Ronald Pfumidzayi is subject to a late fitness test.
Ex-Highlanders midfielder Rahman Kutsanzira, skipper Tapiwa Khumbuyani goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube, Fiyado, Chungwa are expected to lead Caps United at Emagumeni.
On the other hand, Highlanders who will miss ever-improving defender Dumisani “Fazo” Ndlovu and Peter “Rio” Moyo welcome back into the team Mthulisi Maphosa who missed last week’s BancABC Sup8r quarter-final loss to FC Platinum due to injury.
Maphosa trained with the team at White City Stadium on Wednesday morning.
This afternoon, Chicken Inn who are hoping to go top of the log for the first time this season are likely to be out for revenge after Shabanie Mine knocked them out of the BancABC Sup8r competition last week with a 2-0 victory.
The Gamecocks-Chinda Boys encounter is a match that both teams’ coaches and players’ technical and tactical abilities will be put to test.
The two clubs are meeting for the third time in three weeks with Chicken Inn winning the reverse match 2-1.
The Gamecocks under the guidance of Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu seem to have struck the right key and cannot be ignored in the title race as they have shown their pedigree taking their unbeaten league run to seven matches. Their last defeat was away to Harare City in May where they lost 2-1.
“I think it will be an interesting game. Playing the same team three times in three consecutive weeks is a bit tricky but we are ready for Shabanie Mine. In the BancABC Sup8r quarter-final last week they were all over us but this is a new game altogether where we must make use of home advantage,” Mpofu said.
Both clubs have equally talented and experienced players.
Shabanie Mine’s hopes will be pinned on goalkeeper Victor Twaliki, striker Tarisai Rukanda, Pervington Zimunya, Caleb Masocha and Blessed Mbavarira.
Chicken Inn has the likes of goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni, Ndoro, Danny Phiri, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Moses Jackson, Zephaniah Ngodzo and Tonisani Sibelo among others at their disposal.
Tomorrow, How Mine will have to do without three of their key players – goalkeeper Pedzisai Gumiremhete, defender Gilbert Banda and midfielder Thandazani Ndlovu for the DeMbare game due to suspensions after picking three yellow cards each.
In the absence of Banda, either Brighton Dube or Brighton Choto will partner Hebert Dick in central defence with goalkeeper Nonjabulo Dube starting. Timothy January is an automatic replacement for Ndlovu on the left side of How Mine’s midfield.
Suspended players:
Prosper Matizanadzo (Buffaloes), Obrey Chirwa, Ali Sadiki (both FC Platinum), Blessing Sande, Charles Mutero (both Motor Action), Tawanda Nyamandwe (Caps United), Brian Juru (Chicken Inn), Dumisani Ndlovu, Peter Moyo (both Highlanders), Munyaradzi Kunyarimwe (Shabanie Mine), Gilbert Banda, Pedzisayi Gumiremhete, Thandazani Ndlovu (all How Mine), Honey Chimutimunzeve, Ben Nyahunzi (both Black Mambas), Pardon Chinungwa (Triangle United), Ephraim Mwinga (Tripple B)
Fixtures
Friday: Chicken Inn v Shabanie Mine (Luveve)
Saturday: Black Mambas v Triangle (Morris Depot), How Mine v Dynamos (Luveve), Harare City v Hwange (Rufaro)
Sunday: Buffaloes v Tripple B (Sakubva), Black Rhinos v FC Platinum (Rimuka), Motor Action v Monomotapa (Motor Action), Highlanders v Caps United (Barbourfields)
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