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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter—
HIGHLANDERS coach Bongani Mafu has come to the defence of his under-fire goalkeepers’ coach Peter “Captain Oxo” Nkomo following a string of “soft” goals conceded by the Bulawayo giants’ goalkeepers this season. The Bosso keepers have been letting in goals from the near side and struggling with crosses, which critics attributed to lack of expert training.
The goalkeeping confusion has seen Highlanders rotating their goalkeepers Ariel Sibanda and Njabulo Nyoni, as they have both failed to distinguish themselves between the sticks.
Sibanda was once voted Goalkeeper of the Year while still under the tutelage of present Young Warriors’ goalkeepers’ coach Tembo Chuma.
Mafu opted for the recalled Prosper Matutu to deputise Nyoni in the Chibuku Super Cup tie they lost on penalties to How Mine last Sunday.
Matutu had been on loan at Southern Region League log leaders Bulawayo City.
Mafu said the coming in of Matutu was meant to add more competition in the goalkeeping department.
“I would bite a bullet for him (Nkomo). We work together and yes we sometimes have our differences, but I think he is doing a good job,” said Mafu at the club’s weekly press conferences yesterday.
Bosso have conceded 15 goals so far, the same number they let in during the 2012 season when Sibanda scooped the coveted golden gloves.
Meanwhile, Bosso will miss six players for their epic league duel against How Mine at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
Bosso will be without dependable defenders Erick Mudzingwa, Teenage Hadebe, Douglas Sibanda, Honest Moyo and Webster Chingodzo.
Mudzingwa and Chingodzo are injured, Sibanda is ill while Hadebe is on trial at Ajax Cape Town in South Africa.
Moyo and midfielder King Nadolo are serving a one match suspension after picking up three yellow cards.
However, Amahlolanyama will also welcome back on-fire striker Knox Mutizwa and speed merchant Gabriel Nyoni, who has had a lengthy lay off due to injury.
“We have been training well as we prepare for the league match on Sunday,” said Mafu.
He declined to respond to How Mine coach Luke Masomere’s comments that Highlanders are always favoured by referees. “I’m Highlanders and I will talk about Highlanders. If he has problems with referees, he must raise them with the referees committee,” said Mafu.
In other matches set for tomorrow, table toppers Chicken Inn are home to Chapungu United at Luveve Stadium while Kelvin Kaindu’s Triangle will be in town to face Tsholotsho at White City Stadium.
Chicken Inn gaffer Joe Antipas and Kaindu can’t afford to drop points this weekend. The two teams are separated by two points at the top of the table, but How Mine and Dynamos are lurking close by as the league gets to the home stretch.
Online Reporter