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The other suspended players are Thabani Kamusoko of FC Platinum, Monomotapa’s Fidelis Mangezi, Raymond Uchena of Harare City, Buffaloes’ duo of Joseph Jambo and Prosper Matizanadzo and Hwange’s veteran striker Gilbert Zulu.
Highlanders might be the hardest hit as Mudzingwa and skipper Innocent Mapuranga’s defence has been watertight.
The development means that Highlanders’ coach Kelvin “KK” Kaindu will have to juggle his central defence and find someone who will partner Mapuranga. In all Highlanders’ opening eight matches, Mudzingwa has been steadfast at the heart of defence and his absence will be a real test for Bosso.
Mudzingwa got his first yellow card when they drew 1-1 with Buffaloes in Mutare, picked up his second caution when Bosso beat Black Mambas 3-1 at Morris Depot and got the other during Highlanders’ 3-0 home win over Monomotapa.
However, Kaindu said he was not a worried man as he had cover for Mudzingwa.
“Yes, we are going to miss Mudzingwa as he has been playing well. The good news is that we have many defenders in our team and I believe whoever is going to come in his place is going to do the job.
“His absence in fact presents an opportunity to the other guys to prove that they deserve to be in the Highlanders squad,” Kaindu said.
In their last game against Shabanie Mine at Maglas Stadium, Kaindu pulled out man-of-the-moment Mthulisi Maphosa, moved Mudzingwa to midfield and introduced Dumisani “Fazo” Ndlovu to partner Mapuranga for the remaining seven minutes of that match. Highlanders beat Shabanie Mine 2-0.
Ndlovu is likely to be thrown into the fray against Chicken Inn on Sunday.
Also vying for that central defence role are Tendai Ndlovu and Bruce Tshuma with Bruce Kangwa and Atlast Musasa playing as wingbacks.
Despite inactivity for two weeks, the Highlanders coach was confident that his charges would continue with their fine run.
Midfield dynamite Peter “Rio” Moyo, who has been a marvel to watch piercing through the opponents, Masimba Mambare, Maphosa, Heritein Masuku, free-scoring Milton Ncube and Simon Munawa, who was in camp with the national team, are expected to form a formidable midfield for Bosso.
Graham Ncube is likely to start as a lone striker with Beavan Chikaka who was on target the last time Bosso were at home when they beat Hwange 1-0 coming on later as a substitute.
On the other hand, Chicken Inn are unfazed with Highlanders’ fine season’s start with their head coach Adam Ndlovu saying they are treating the game just like any other game.
The fastfoods outlets sponsored outfit yesterday received a boost after goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni and midfielder Kudakwashe Mahachi were dropped from the Warriors.
The two trained with their team at yesterday’s morning training session.
“We are treating this game just like any other game and we hope to post a positive result. The only player missing is Herbert Dick who is serving suspension,” said Ndlovu, the former Highlanders striker.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: FC Platinum v Quelaton (Mandava), Black Mambas v Motor Action (Morris Depot).
Sunday: Highlanders v Chicken Inn (Barbourfields), Buffaloes v Gunners (Sakubva), Hwange v Shabanie Mine (Colliery), Hardbody v Caps United (Ascot), Monomotapa v Blue Rangers (Rufaro).
Londile Moyo
Bongani Ndlovu