Pride at stake in Bosso, FC Platinum encounter

Sports Reporter
ALL is set for the Commander Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Charities semi-final soccer match between Highlanders and FC Platinum at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.
Besides fulfilling their corporate responsibility roles, Highlanders and FC Platinum are taking the encounter seriously with their skippers Innocent Mapuranga and Daniel Vheremu saying bragging rights are at stake.

The captains also spoke about the need to build confidence among their players by winning tomorrow’s game.
“Every game is important to us be it a friendly, cup or league match. I believe Sunday’s game is no different and it presents us with an opportunity to cultivate that winning culture. It might be a charity game but it’s a very competitive one and we are really looking forward to Sunday,” said Mapuranga.

The last time the two teams met was in the semi-final of the Independence Cup at Barbourfields Stadium which FC Platinum won 6-5 after a penalty shoot out. It was 0-0 after regulation time and poster boy Kudakwashe Mahachi missed one of Highlanders’ penalties.

“The coach has spoken about the need to win such games so that we build our confidence. He believes that for us to challenge for bigger things we have to start with winning such tournaments. Everyone is raring to go,” Vheremu said.

Tomorrow’s game will also present both clubs with an opportunity to have a glimpse of what to expect when they clash in the Premiership in two weeks time.

Hopefully by the time they clash in the league, they will have all their players who will miss tomorrow’s game available.
Mahachi will not be available tomorrow due to national team duty. He is part of the Warriors that will face Tanzania tomorrow in the first leg of the first qualifying round of the 2015 Africa Nations Cup in Dar es Salaam.

Another Bosso player who travelled with the national team is Peter “Rio” Moyo who has not seen much action for the Bulawayo giants in their seven Premiership games.

Highlanders will also be without Mthulisi Maphosa who is nursing a knee injury, striker Gabriel Nyoni who has started light training, the quartet of Simon Munawa, Welcome Ndiweni, Ozias Zibande and Charles Sibanda who picked up knocks against ZPC Kariba. The club does not want to risk them.

This means that fringe players like goalkeeper Njabulo “Popo” Nyoni, strikers Cleopas “Balotteli” Dube and Mgcini Sibanda are likely to be given the responsibility to lead the team’s attack with Rahman Kutsanzira, Valentine Ndaba and Joel Ngodzo coming into the thick of things in midfield.

Khumbulani Banda might come in for Bruce Kangwa on the left side of defence with Dumisani Ndlovu and Mapuranga playing in central defence.

For FC Platinum, the only player out of selection for the Commander ZNA Charities semi-final is midfielder Marshal Mudewe who just like Mahachi and Moyo is on national duty.

The Moneybags are likely to give game time to Allan Gahadzikwa, Aaron Katebe, Obrey Chirwa and goalkeeper Francis Tizayi who have recovered from injuries as well as the Moyo twins Elvis and Kevin who have been watching from the terraces alongside striker Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube since the start of the season.

Meanwhile, Major-General Trust Mugoba said soccer enthusiasts should come in their numbers.
He said they are targeting to raise at least $500,000 from all the fundraising activities that they are going to hold this year for the ZNA charities.

“Everything is set for the game and it will be a good family day for everyone. There will be entertainment and curtain raisers before the main match.

“We are grateful to Highlanders administrators who during our last year’s post-match discussions advised us to extend the competition. That is why we have brought in FC Platinum and Dynamos. We are also thankful to PSL, Zifa and other stakeholders for their contributions towards making these games a success,” said Mugoba.

The beneficiaries of the ZNA charities are Tsanga Lodge Convalescent Centre in Nyanga, Army Widows and Orphans Benevolent Fund which caters for financial needs of widows, widowers and orphans.

There is also the ZNA Benevolent Fund which seeks to boost troops’ morale internally or externally, ZNA Schools Welfare Trust Fund which caters for the various schools that fall under the military institution and finally ZNA Patients Welfare Fund which offers assistance and goodies to members admitted in hospitals and those ill at home.

Fixtures
Tomorrow: Highlanders v FC Platinum (Barbourfields); Dynamos v Caps United (Rufaro).