admin
The weekend game promises to be a thriller as Bosso will be out to maintain their 100 percent unbeaten run in the league this season while DeMbare are intent on putting their championship hopes back on track.
In an interview yesterday, the Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu said they were taking the game just like any other league match and were looking forward to the encounter.
“Dynamos play in the same league as us and we respect them just like any other team that we have played. So far so good. Our preparations have been going on well and we are looking forward to the game.
“Obviously they have some continental experience and we are coming from a draw (1-1 against Quelaton), but we just have to work hard and hope for better results on Sunday,” Kaindu said.
The Zambian expatriate has become a darling of the success-starved Highlanders’ supporters who are beginning to sniff glory days following their team’s good run in the first half of the season.
Highlanders last won the championship in 2006 and on Sunday their chairman Peter Dube said one of the club’s bona fide members keeps on saying: “Now the championship, we can only lose it ourselves.”
These sentiments were referring to the attacking brand of football that the Zambian expatriate Kaindu has introduced to the team and the spirited performances by the ambitious average Highlanders players that have seen Bosso being one of the teams to beat this season.
Having already collected maximum points against Harare’s Caps United a fortnight ago, Kaindu is expected to plot Dynamos’ downfall.
The Highlanders gaffer will pray that all his players are available for selection with Bhekimpilo Ncube and Dumisani “Fazo” Ndlovu expected to recover in time for the epic battle.
Goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda who missed Tuesday’s training as he was not feeling well according to team doctor, Xolani Ndlovu, trained with the rest of the team yesterday.
Skipper Innocent Mapuranga and Eric Mudzingwa, who had received knocks during the Caps United match, have recovered and are expected to partner at the heart of defence.
Highlanders’ strength is in midfield where they have Mthulisi Maphosa, Peter “Rio” Moyo who was expected last night from Botswana where he was on national duty, Milton Ncube, Masimba Mambare and Bhekimpilo Ncube.
Simon Munawa, who started the season on fire, has seen his form taking a plunge but is also expected to fight for a place in midfield alongside Heritani Masuku and Arnold Ndiweni.
Graham Ncube, young Ozias Zibande and Beaven Chikaka are top contenders to lead the strikeforce.
Meanwhile, the Dynamos chairman Kenny Mubaiwa said now that they have bowed out of continental competition, their focus was on retaining the championship.
“Right now we have set a target of sweeping all the silverware on offer. We are coming to Bulawayo for maximum points,” Mubaiwa said.
The last time Dynamos were in the City of Kings they laboured to a 1-0 win over log anchors Quelaton.
Players to watch in the Dynamos squad are Takesure Chinyama, Washington Arubi and Kutyauripo.
Fixtures
Sunday: Highlanders v Dynamos (Barbourfields).
Online Reporter