adminand had therefore prepared adequately for their match against Monomotapa at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
Highlanders are leading with 13 points from five games, having won four matches. They beat at home Blue Rangers 4-0 and Hardbody 5-3. They also beat FC Platinum and Black Mambas by identical 3-1 scorelines at their own backyards.
Bosso only drew with Buffaloes in Mutare.
Mapuranga, who has been solid at Highlanders’ defence, said all the players were geared up for the game.
“Everyone in camp has developed a winning mentality and this kind of spirit has made everyone eager to be in the team. All that the guys want is to win and at this point the level of competition is high which means that the coaches are spoilt for choice. Whoever comes in will do the job and like I said when the season started, we wanted to collect maximum points at Barbourfields and teams should therefore forget about getting points when playing us at home,” said Mapuranga.
Highlanders should however be wary of Monomotapa who were the first to hand defending champions Dynamos their first league defeat last month. They beat DeMbare 1-0.
Backed by their vociferous fans who are beginning to follow their team in numbers with every outing, Highlanders are likely to retain the same team that beat Black Mambas last week.
Goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda who had a nightmarish day the last time Highlanders was at Barbourfields against Hardbody where he made a schoolboy blunder that nearly cost his team, will hope for a good outing.
Mapuranga will partner his deputy Erick Mudzingwa at central defence with Atlast Musasa and Bruce Kangwa playing as wingbacks.
The midfield is likely to have an imposing Mthulisi Maphosa who has had a brilliant season’s start, Peter “Rio” Moyo, Milton Ncube, Simon Munawa and Heritein Masuku.
Munawa who received a national team call-up on Wednesday is the club’s top scorer with four goals from five games.
Striker Graham Ncube just like in the other matches is expected to start as a lone striker.
Masimba Mambare and Beavan Chikaka who have made appearances from the bench will likely be introduced as second half substitutes as has been the case since the season started.
Monomotapa’s players to watch include their anchorman Tendai “Tengo” Ngulube, Tawanda Nyamandwe, Fidelis Mangezi and Kuda Musharu.
At Luveve Stadium tomorrow, Chicken Inn will be hoping to bounce back following their last weekend’s 1-0 loss to Hardbody in Gweru.
Fixtures
Tomorrow:
Chicken Inn v Buffaloes (Luveve), Gunners v Blue Rangers (Lafarge), Harare City v FC Platinum (Gwanzura), Caps United v Quelaton (National Sports Stadium)
Sunday:
Highlanders v Monomotapa (Barbourfields), Hwange v Black Mambas (Colliery)
Online Reporter