Andrew
Online Reporter
HIGHLANDERS have been dealt a major blow in their quest for a top-four Castle Lager Premier Soccer League finish, as two key players have been ruled out of their match against relegation-threatened ZPC Kariba at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday. Gifted midfielder Divine Mhindirira, who is widely tipped for a place on the Soccer Star of the Year calendar, will sit out Sunday’s match due to suspension after accumulating three yellow cards.
Similarly, Bosso’s leading scorer Lynoth Chikuhwa, who has 11 goals this season, is out of the ZPC Kariba tie because of suspension.
Highlanders go into the penultimate match of the season lying fifth on the table with 50 points, one behind Ngezi Platinum Stars, who play Manica Diamonds at Sakubva Stadium on Sunday.
Bosso’s Brazilian coach, Brito, lamented the absence of the duo.
“It’s a big loss of course, but we will be competitive,” Brito told The Sunday Mail Online.
Mhindirira showed glimpses of his class in an otherwise subdued “Battle of Zimbabwe” clash against Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
He picked his third yellow card in that match.
The nil-all draw left Highlanders trailing Ngezi Platinum Stars by a point.
Highlanders have failed to achieve a top-four finish since 2016.
On their part, Ngezi kept their hopes for a top-four finish alive with a 5-0 rout of Tenax at Sakubva, which also sent the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service outfit back to Division One.
Match Day 33 Fixtures:
Friday:
Yadah v Chicken Inn (National Sports Stadium)
Saturday:
CAPS United v Bulawayo Chiefs (National Sports Stadium), Cranborne Bullets v Tenax (Vengere), Bulawayo City v Harare City (Barbourfields), WhaWha v Black Rhinos (Ascot)
Sunday:
Manica Diamonds v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Sakubva), Triangle United v FC Platinum (Gibbo), Highlanders v ZPC Kariba (Barbourfields); Herentals v Dynamos (National Sports Stadium)
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter