adminAFTER managing to grind out a win against Hwange on Good Friday, Highlanders will seek to prolong Buffaloes’ poor start to the season when the two teams meet in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare tomorrow.
Highlanders have not lost to Buffaloes in the six meetings between the two teams since 2012, with three wins for Bosso and the same number of matches ending in a stalemate.
Buffaloes have had a woeful start to the season with two defeats and a draw in three matches in which they have conceded nine goals. They go into battle against Highlanders still trying to recover from a 5-2 drubbing they got from ZPC Kariba at Gwanzura Stadium on Friday.
Highlanders have their concerns in the strikeforce with the experienced Obidiah Tarumbwa as well as Ozias Zibanda and Simba Sithole out injured.
The problems for Highlanders in the forwards department are clear as the two goals they have scored so far have come from defenders, Teenage Hadebe and Webster Chingodza.
Bongani Mafu, looking for his third consecutive win of the season is sure to select Ariel Sibanda, who has kept two clean sheets in goals, with cover expected from Chingodza, Erick Mudzingwa, Honest Moyo and Felix Chindungwe.
Mthulisi Maphosa, Nqobizitha Masuku, Tendai Ngulube, Bruce Kangwa, Simon Munawa, Welcome Ndiweni and Edmore Muzanenhamo are the options available in midfield for Mafu.
Thomas Chideu and speedy Gabriel Nyoni have the huge burden on their shoulders of banging in the goals for Highlanders.
Buffaloes coach Joseph Takaringofa’s hopes of an unlikely triumph over Highlanders are pinned on Prosper Matizanadzo, Jacob Muzokomba, Lloyd Katongomara and Philip Chandisaita.
In the only fixture set for today, Flame Lily take on How Mine at Gwanzura Stadium. Tomorrow sees Dongo Sawmill welcome in form Triangle to Vengere Stadium, Chicken Inn square off against Whawha while Caps United clash with fierce rivals Dynamos, Tsholotsho have a date with Hwange while Chapungu clash with ZPC Kariba.
On Wednesday, FC Platinum out of domestic action during the Easter weekend because of continental commitments have an encounter against Flame Lily at Mandava Stadium.
Fixtures
Today: Flame Lily v How Mine (Gwanzura Stadium)
Tomorrow: Dongo Sawmill v Triangle(Vengere Stadium), Chicken Inn v Whawha (Luveve Stadium), Caps United v Dynamos(National Sports Stadium), Tsholotsho v Hwange(White City Stadium), Chapungu v ZPC Kariba(Ascot Stadium), Buffaloes v Highlanders(Sakubva Stadium)
Wednesday: FC Platinum v Flame Lily (Mandava Stadium)
Bongani Ndlovu