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Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS are expected to play with more balance at the back where veterans Peter Muduhwa and Godfrey Makaruse make a return from suspension and injury.
But coach Kelvin Kaindu has to juggle around his options in advanced roles as regulars Melikhaya Ncube and Prince Ndlovu are out.
Ncube is road blocked for accumulating three cautions while Ndlovu has a sprain which is expected to confine him for at least a fortnight.
Kaindu will this Sunday lead the Bulawayo giants in a tough Premiership battle against Herentals at Barbourfields.
Bosso have slid nine points behind leaders Simba Bhora with 10 matches before the marathon comes to a close.
The Zambian gaffer feels the race is still on and says Highlanders just ought to be consistent.
“No one has been declared a winner yet. The race is still on. (We) are a bit on a disadvantage especially given that we dropped points in (our) last game against Chicken Inn. The race is still on. There are still a number of points we need to fight for.
“With consistency we can still be hopeful,” said Kaindu.
“In terms of match preparation, we have good news and we also have bad news.
“The bad news is we all saw Prince coming out in the last match we played against Chicken Inn (and he is out injured).
“We also had Peter Muduhwa missing out because of suspension. Maybe our other challenge is we have another suspension in Melikhaya Ncube.
“(Perhaps) the only consolation is that Godfrey Makaruse is almost curtain to be available for the game this week.
“We are still assessing the level of fitness on Never Rauzhi.”
Kaindu, who saw his boys pegged back to a 2-2 draw by the same opponents in the reverse fixture having taken a healthy-looking 2-0 lead in the opening half, said they have learnt their lessons.
“It’s a difficult game to predict (against Herentals). I think they still have that zeal to fight,” he added.
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