admin
A WEEK after knocking Bosso out of the lucrative Chibuku Super Cup, How Mine are wary of a strong reaction from their city neighbours, when the two teams clash in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.
At the same venue last Sunday How Mine edged Highlanders 4-3 on penalties after the match had ended in a 1-1 scoreline in normal time to progress through to the next round of the Chibuku Super Cup.
However, despite that Houdini feat over their opponents this afternoon, Luke Masomere still believes that Bosso are favourites because of their history, and that they had prepared themselves for a backlash.
“We have prepared so well, we are playing against one of the biggest clubs in the country. In all aspects of football they are favourites. The win on penalties is part of history, Highlanders lost to How Mine and there is no way they would want to lose to How Mine this time around,’’ said Masomere.
The self proclaimed doctor of Zimbabwean football was forced to drop seasoned defender Gilbert Banda from the team last week after the former Highlanders captain was arrested by police for allegedly smuggling alcohol into Luveve Stadium where he was watching the match between Chicken Inn and Hwange. Banda was dropped for the Highlanders encounter and is not in the team for today’s match as well.
Masomere, while he believes a strong message must be sent out to similar would-be offenders at the club, was of the opinion that Banda should be forgiven.
“What he (Banda) did was bad, he is a first offender, we are all not perfect. He didn’t kill anyone so we are not going to kill him, we are sending a message to others not to tarnish the image of the club,’’ said Masomere.
How Mine have received even better news on the injury front and will be able to unleash the likes of Mgcini Sibanda, Nefitara Ndale, Fungai Chirinda, Louis Matawu and 2013 Soccer Star of the Year Tawanda Muparati.
Masomere has released young striker Adolf Muganyi, who was on the bench last Sunday, to represent Bulawayo at the National Youth Games in Mutare while Benjamin Marere is still recovering from injury. Goalkeeper Donovan Bernard looks certain to keep his place in goals after making a save off Thembinkosi Simango’s penalty which assured How Mine of a place in the last eight of the Chibuku Super Cup. Besides the young goalkeeper and the players returning from injury, How Mine will be banking on the exploits of Nelson Tachi, Timothy January, Mernard Mupera, Kudakwashe Musharu, Nyasha Mukumbi, Tapiwa Kumbuyani, Godfrey Nguwodzawo and Thembani Masuku.
Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu on the other hand has seen the list of injured players continue to grow as Webster Chingodza limped off last Sunday to join Mthulisi Maphosa, Douglas Sibanda and Erick Mudzingwa, on the sidelines.
To add to that, defender Teenage Hadebe is still on trials at Ajax Cape Town in South Africa while midfielder Edmore Muzanenhamo is away due to work commitments. Highlanders also have to do without the suspended Honest Moyo and King Nadolo who are ruled out after accumulating three yellow cards.
On a brighter note, speedy forward Gabriel Nyoni, out through a hamstring injury, has recovered, a development that could see him feature this afternoon. Knox Mutizwa, absent last Sunday due to an ankle injury picked up while on national duty is also up and running.
Seasoned goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni appears to have secured his place as the first choice goalkeeper at Highlanders as he has been in goals for the past five matches in a row. Peter Muduhwa, recalled from a loan spell at Bulawayo Chiefs could make his debut partnering Felix Chindungwe and Bruce Kangwa at the back. With three defenders out through injury, Mafu could be forced to drop Simon Munawa back into a defensive role depending on the formation he seeks to employ.
In the absence of the creative Nadolo in midfield, Highlanders will look to the likes of Valentine Ndaba, Godfrey Makaruse, Tendai Ngulube, Valentine Ndaba and Rahman Kutsanzira to create the opportunities for the strikers.
Mafu has a lot of options to choose from upfront with the in-form Obidiah Tarumbwa, Mutizwa, Simango, Obert Tafira and Nyoni fighting for a starting place.
How Mine have caused all sorts of problems for Highlanders every time there were three points at stake since their promotion in 2013. In their first season, the gold miners took all the six points on offer against Amahlolanyama with a 2-1 win followed up by a 1-0 triumph.
Last season, Highlanders won the first meeting between the two sides 2-1 with return fixture ending 0-0. This season, the two drew 1-1 at Barbourfields in June having earlier met in a Zimbabwe National Army Charity Shield semi-final encounter which ended 1-0 in a favour of Highlanders.
In other two matches to be played this afternoon, Whawha meet Buffaloes in Gweru while Dynamos clash with former coach Sunday Chidzambwa now in charge of ZPC Kariba in Harare.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter