adminsides clash in a blood and thunder Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields this afternoon.
The match is likely to break the mid week record attendance this season.
Gumbo, who won the domestic championship with Highlanders before achieving a similar feat in Malawi and Bostwana, yesterday also taunted Bosso when he repeated his 2005 famous jibe : “It’s only the name Highlanders that is big otherwise on the field of play the club was now just but the same as any other in the local league”.
“Had we been playing Motor Action one might be tempted to say it’s a big match for us but this is just like any other match for us.
“It is also not true that pressure is on us, if anything it is Highlanders who are under a lot of pressure,” said Gumbo, who has been nicknamed “the Special One” by some FC Platinum fans.
The nickname was originally coined for Real Madrid’s Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho who is also known for his verbal freedom.
In 2005 Gumbo made the same statement ahead of the Independence Cup final against Bosso at Barbourfields when he was coach of the Mighty Bulls.
True to his words Bosso prevailed 2-0 and left the multitudes of Bosso followers in stunned disbelief.
Interestingly, Platinum also have a backroom staff that is laced with former Bosso employees – assistant coach Philani Mabhena and goalkeepers’ coach Peter Nkomo.
Gumbo said all the players, save for Simon Njeleza were available for selection. His Bosso counterpart, Mkhuphali Masuku, who is guiding wounded troops following a 1-0 defeat to Motor Action on Saturday, said his camp was looking forward to the match and said he had a clean bill of health.
“They beat us 2-0 in the reverse fixture at their own backyard but to us that is water under the bridge, tomorrow (today) its going to be a new ball game altogether. We want all the maximum points.
Tomorrow (today) we play the log leaders and the Manchester City of Zimbabwe. It won’t be an easy game for us and we are looking forward to it.
“We have put behind the defeat against Motor Action and not reading much into the previous performance.
“But everyone in the team is geared for the match and looking to an improved game unlike in the match against Motor Action where about five players were not in the game,” said Masuku.
With the visitors boasting a lethal attack which includes Charles Sibanda, Benjamin Marere, Donald Ngoma and Norman Maroto the match is likely to be decided in the midfield duel where Bosso will probably try to suffocate the Moneybags’ supply line.
But Platinum are well served in midfield where they have the likes of Bhekimpilo Ncube, Mthulisi Maphosa and Joel Ngodzo.
Bosso however have their own industrious midfielders in Simon Munawa, workaholic Eric Mudzingwa, on song Luis Matawu and the dribbling wizard Rahman Kutzanzira.
In the reverse fixture Masuku had his game plan working well for him until the intelligence of Sibanda did the trick.
The former Hwange and Motor Action player would drop into the midfield area, leaving Bosso centre backs Innocent Mapuranga and captain Gilbert Banda marking the space only.
Once in possession, Sibanda is always difficult to dispossess.
For the visitors they too have to worry much about Bosso’s livewire Kutsanzira on the wings and when on song, the young forward could give any defence a torrid time.
Seasoned defender Gift Lunga Jnr and Lawson Nkomo who missed the two sides’ first clash are back and available for selection for Bosso today.
Fixtures:
Today:
Highlanders v FC Platinum (Barbourfilds)
Saturday
Gunners v Zimbabwe Saints (Lafarge), Monomotapa v Shooting Stars (Rufaro), Kiglon v Blue Ribbon (Gwanzura).
Sunday
FC Platinum v Motor Action (Mandava), Dynamos v Shabanie (Rufaro), Masvingo v Black Mambas (postponed), Hwange v CAPS United (Colliery) Highlanders v Chicken Inn (Barbourfields).
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter