admin
Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda is racing against time to shrug off injury to be available for selection against Black Rhinos in the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Charities match set for Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.The Bulawayo giants take on Black Rhinos in a fundraising encounter for the Commander Zimbabwe National Army Charities.
Sibanda is one of the three players that Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu, who returned from a short trip to his family in Zambia recently, said were nursing injuries.
Midfielder Bhekimpilo “Barca” Ncube and leftback Honest Moyo who have spent the better part of the first half on the sidelines have been ruled out of Sunday’s game.
Kaindu, who returned on Tuesday, said some of the players who had knocks have recovered and they are looking forward to playing Black Rhinos. “So far so good everything is going on well. As you may know, we have been on a break and we started our training on Tuesday. Our focus is on this game and everyone is looking forward to it.
“Unfortunately, Bheki (Ncube) and Honest, are out due to injuries while Ariel started doing light training yesterday. We are monitoring his progress otherwise the rest of the guys are okay,” Kaindu said.
Injury will definitely be a blow for Sibanda who has been playing second fiddle to Munyaradzi Diya for the better part of the first half of the season, only playing the last three league matches before the break.
Sibanda was part of the first 11 that beat Monomotapa 5-2 in Harare, overcame Black Mambas 2-1 at Barbourfields Stadium and won 1-0 against Hwange at the Colliery Stadium.
However, Highlanders have good cover in Diya who has also been a darling of the Highlanders’ faithfuls.
Last weekend, injuries forced Highlanders to forgo their friendly match against Tripple B at Dulibadzimu Stadium.
At least seven key Highlanders players had minor knocks.
Among those that had slight injuries were defender Dumisani “Fazo” Ndlovu who is getting better with each game and is now a darling among Highlanders fans, chief striker Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube, the dreadlocked midfielder Bhekimpilo, combative midfielder Simon “Yola” Munawa, on and off striker Graham Ncube, Peter “Rio” Moyo and Hillary Madzivanyika.
Apart from the monetary value to be generated from the game against Black Rhinos, Kaindu is likely to use the encounter to prepare for the reminder of the season as they seek to land the Premiership trophy they last won in 2006.
Bosso is at the top of the Premiership table with 29 points, four above perennial rivals and defending champions Dynamos.
They resume their campaign with a midweek fixture derby against Chicken Inn at Emagumeni next week.
Black Rhinos will not be pushovers and will want to forget the nightmarish afternoon they had in their last visit at Barbourfields where they lost 3-1 to Highlanders in the league.
The last time the army side was here, it was under the tutelage of Nesbert Saruchera who has since been replaced by Arthur Tutani.
Tutani would like to see his charges gore Bosso so that they boost their confidence ahead of the second half of the season.
The winner between Highlanders and Black Rhinos on Sunday will get $6 000, with the losers taking home $4 000.
Online Reporter