Mbeba groggy as Caps head for Barbourfields

Fungai Muderere

THE stage is set for one of Zimbabwe’s biggest football rivalries — but Highlanders FC might be without one of their key soldiers when they face off against bitter rivals CAPS United at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

Ginger-haired and lanky skipper Andrew Mbeba, a cornerstone in the Bosso backline, is a major doubt for the Battle of the Cities Part One, after picking up an injury in last weekend’s 1-1 stalemate against Triangle United at Gibbo Stadium.

“We have a full squad that is training apart from Andrew Mbeba who picked up an injury in the last game against Triangle. We are yet to get feedback from the doctors, he hasn’t been training but he is feeling slightly better. “There has been some tremendous improvement,” said Highlanders head coach Kelvin Kaindu.

“He is going to see our medical doctor who will give us feedback and then we will assess him during training to see if he will be ready for our game,” he added.

Mbeba’s absence would be a massive blow for Bosso, with the dead-ball specialist often leading the charge from the back and driving forward when needed.

Still, Bosso can fall back on a roster of hungry warriors including Arthur Ndlovu, Marvin Hativagoni, veteran shot-stopper Ariel Sibanda, Mason Mushore, Brighton “MaNinja” Ncube, and Prince Dube, to help bring fire to Emagumeni. While it’s still early in the season, both Highlanders and CAPS United have a lot to prove.

Bosso have had a shaky start under Kaindu, picking up just six points from a possible 15 (one win, three draws, one loss).

Their latest stumble — a draw against a winless Triangle side — has rattled fans, who expected more after last season’s promise.

Across the trenches, Makepekepe are in even deeper trouble.

With just four points from 15, their confidence is low, and last week’s 2-1 defeat to Ngezi Platinum Stars sparked fan fury. Angry CAPS supporters barricaded the Baobab Stadium exits, trapping the team bus and coach Lloyd Chitembwe, as frustration over their form boiled over. For Chitembwe, a man who has worn and led the green jersey with pride, this game could be make or break. Last season? Highlanders won the home leg 2-0, before CAPS struck back with a thrilling 3-2 victory. These clashes are always tense, dramatic, and unforgiving — Sunday promises nothing less. Can Bosso survive without their skipper? Will CAPS explode or implode again? Emagumeni will have the answers this Sunday!

Week Six Fixtures
Saturday:
TelOne v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Ascot); Bikita Minerals v Triangle United (Gibbo); Yadah Stars v Scottland FC (Rufaro); FC Platinum v Greenfuel (Mandava); ZPC Kariba v Kwekwe United (Nyamhunga); Simba Bhora v Manica Diamonds (Wadzanayi)

Sunday:
Highlanders v CAPS United (Barbourfields); Herentals College v MWOS (Wadzanayi); Dynamos v Chicken Inn (Rufaro)