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HIGHLANDERS’ new signing Never Rauzhi is doubtful to make an appearance when they face defending league champions Ngezi Platinum Stars at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday in a Premier Soccer League tie.
Rauzhi joined Bosso in the just concluded mid-season transfer window on a six-month loan from Bulawayo Chiefs.
“I think we have been doing well in terms of our preparations for this fixture against Ngezi at home. This is despite minor challenges in terms of players that had picked up some knocks and one of them is Never Rauzhi.
“He has been doing light training but we are hoping that he will get well. But we don’t want to risk him. We also don’t want to rush him to get to play and we hope the medical team will try and get him back to the field as soon as possible,” said Highlanders head coach Kelvin Kaindu.
Kaindu hopes the team will build up from their previous victory against Chegutu Pirates.
“I think credit should go to the team. Playing Chegutu Pirates away from home is not an easy fixture. Also, we played at the home ground of Ngezi Platinum which means they got to watch how we play.
“I am sure they have planned according to the way we played and we are also anticipating a better performance at home where I think we have struggled a bit especially with teams that are on the bottom side of the log, but we are just one point behind Ngezi and I think it’s going to be a big game. I think a victory for any team will move them up the table,” said Kaindu.
In the first leg, played on April 13, Bosso and Ngezi played to a one-all draw. Last weekend, Madamburo, as Ngezi are affectionately known, were held to a nil all stalemate by Greenfuel.
In other matches, coming from their 1-0 over Manica Diamonds, Chicken Inn will make the long trip to Chisumbanje to take on Greenfuel at Greenfuel Arena on Saturday.
On the same day, Barbourfields Stadium will be the place to be for the game between Dynamos and Simba Bhora. DeMbare opted to use Emagumeni as their home ground due to the unavailability of their traditional home ground Rufaro Stadium because of prior bookings.
In other Week 23 Premier Soccer League fixtures, Bulawayo Chiefs will welcome Bikita Minerals at Luveve Stadium while Yadah Stars meet TelOne at Heart Stadium.
Colliery Stadium will be the venue for the game between Hwange and Chegutu Pirates in what will be a repeat of the Chibuku Super Cup preliminary round encounter between the two sides that will be played in afternoon at Mandava Stadium.
Meanwhile, Gweru based TelOne and Chegutu Pirates are through to the Chibuku Super Cup first round stage after they eliminated Arenel and Hwange respectively in doubleheader preliminary round matches that were played at Mandava on Wednesday.
Local Premiership new boys Arenel Movers were knocked out of the Chibuku Super Cup contest by Wifi Boys after going down 4-2 on penalties. The match between the two sides had ended nil all in regulation time.
Another penalty lottery was needed to separate Chegutu Pirates and Hwange after their game had ended one all in normal time. Chegutu Pirates advanced to the next stage after beating Chipangano 5-4 on penalties. TelOne and Pirates now join the top 14 sides in the round of 16.
TelOne will take on FC Platinum in the next stage and Chegutu Pirates now proceed to face Manica Diamonds. The top eight teams as of the Week 17 log standings were the seeded sides and will start at home.
League Fixtures
Saturday
Dynamos v Simba Bhora (Barbourfields Stadium) Bulawayo Chiefs v Bikita Minerals (Luveve Stadium) Yadah v Telone (Heart Stadium) Green Fuel v Chicken Inn (Green Fuel Arena) ZPC Kariba v CAPS United (Nyamhunga Stadium) FC Platinum v Arenel Movers (Mandava Stadium)
Sunday
Hwange v Chegutu Pirates (Colliery Stadium) Highlanders v Ngezi Platinum (Barbourfields Stadium) Manica Diamonds v Herentals (Sakubva)
Online Reporter