Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
A bruising Bulawayo derby awaits at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon as Highlanders and Chicken Inn renew their fierce rivalry, both reeling from key injury setbacks but equally desperate for momentum in the second-half of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
Bosso head coach Kelvin Kaindu says his squad remains upbeat despite the energy sapping trip to Mutare, where they ground out a hard fought 1-0 win over Manica Diamonds on Wednesday.
The midweek victory, secured through a Mafios Chihweta strike, has lifted spirits in the Highlanders camp ahead of today’s city showdown.
“Everyone has been positive at training. There’s been a lot of commitment despite the travel and tough midweek fixture. It was a good win for the team, maximum points away from home and probably our first win at Sakubva Stadium in a long time,” said Kaindu.
The gaffer praised the travelling Bosso fans who turned out in Mutare and called on them to rally behind the team again today.
Highlanders held their final full training session on Friday at Barbourfields, with a light run expected on Saturday morning where Kaindu and his staff were set to assess the fitness of Chihweta and striker Reason Sibanda. Sibanda sat out the Manica tie after picking up a knock in their defeat to Simba Bhora.
Bosso will lean on the experience of Mason Mushore, Andrew Mbeba, Melikhaya Ncube and Never Rauzhi to anchor their charge.
Across town, Joey Antipas’ Chicken Inn are nursing wounds of their own, having lost striker Brighton Makopa to suspension and midfielder Joseph Thulani to a twisted ankle suffered during their 1-0 win over Ngezi Platinum Stars.
“It’s unfortunate the two players will be out, but we are going to fight. We’ve been working hard,” said Antipas, who is aiming to build on last week’s morale boosting home win, their first at Luveve this season.
The absence of Makopa and Thulani opens the door for Brendon Rendo and Brian Muza to feature from the start, alongside the likes of Mpumelelo Bhebhe, who scored the winner against Ngezi, Michael Charamba, George Majika, Dominic Jaricha, skipper Xolani Ndlovu, and goalkeeper Donovan Bernard.
Muza and Rendo were both second half substitutes last week, with the former replacing Genius Mutungamiri and the latter coming on for the injured Thulani.
This derby has, in recent years, featured players who have turned out for both clubs, including Felix Chindungwe, Hebert Dick, Simon Munawa, Graham Ncube, Ozias Zibande and Guide Goddard. Interestingly, Goddard now forms part of the Gamecocks technical bench.
