Songani eyes Bosso’s scalp

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HARARE City star midfielder Silas Songani is keeping his fingers crossed as he races against time to recover  from a nagging knee injury ahead of tomorrow’s Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-final tie against Highlanders at Mandava.
The Zimbabwe international forward yesterday played a small role as his teammates went through their paces in their last training session in Harare ahead of the trip to Zvishavane.

Songani said he was hurt as he joined the growing list of doubtful starters like Witness Nyamutsaka, Crybert Muvuti, Crispen Dickson and defensive link-man James Jam,  who is not feeling well.

But Songani’s influence in this team can never be underestimated and this has persuaded coach Bigboy Mawiwi to include him in his squad, which departs this morning, although his fitness will still have to be certified by the doctors.
“This knee problem has given me a hard time.

“It’s been four days now and it looks like there is no improvement.
“I have been training in that condition, though, but it’s hurting and if I don’t put a knee guard the pain becomes unbearable.
“I will have to hear from the doctors if I can play in that condition,” said Songani.

The diminutive Warriors midfielder handed the Sunshine Boys a passage into the last eight when his solitary strike subdued Monomotapa 1-0 in the first round at Rufaro.

In one season Songani, who played for La Liga in 2011, managed to transform himself from a Division One player to national team material.
Songani was plucked from obscurity by then national team coach Klaus-Dieter Pagels after impressing the German with both skill and pace while playing for Harare City side in only their first year of Premiership football.

But City have been in ascendency this season and are looking for a grand finish to the season.
Mawiwi’s men sailed through to the semi-finals courtesy of a 2-0 win over Hwange at Dulibadzimu with skipper Godfrey Nguwodzawo and Nathan Ziwini on target.

The Sunshine Boys are also in the running for the league championship in a race that also features Dynamos, Highlanders, FC Platinum and CAPS United.

What makes their run special is the fact that Mawiwi’s side is only playing Premiership football for the second year.
Their first attempt at the Mbada Diamonds Cup in their debut season was not successful as they crashed out at the first round following a 3-0 defeat by FC Platinum.

But City have put all that behind them and placed a lot of importance in this game in which they are happy to start as underdogs against a Highlanders side that is also on the same mission in the hunt for a League and Cup double.

Songani said they were hoping to continue with their good run this year by winning the lucrative Mbada Diamonds Cup, which also comes with a ticket to next year’s Caf Confederation Cup.

But he is aware Highlanders will not be easy customers.
Harare City have never won against Bosso since they gained promotion last season.
The two league clashes between the sides ended in stalemates last year but City failed to hold on this season when they fell 2-0 in the first leg at Barbourfields.

“It sounded a bit scary at first when we learnt that we had been drawn against Highlanders.
“It’s because they are not like any other ordinary team in Zimbabwe.
“They are a big side.

“We played them three times since last year and they gave us quite a run but this is a new game altogether.
“Neither us nor Highlanders would want to lose.

“We have to put maximum effort.
“We worked hard to be where we are today and if we continue in the same vein it will be well with us, come end of year.
“We also have a league encounter against Highlanders coming up in a few weeks’ time and Saturday’s result could mean a lot,” said Songani.

Bosso this week welcomed their coach, Kelvin Kaindu, back from England where he has been attending a Uefa coaching course.
Some of the Highlanders’ fans believe the team badly missed their coach, when they were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by relegated Motor Action, in their last competitive match in a league tie at Rufaro.

Bosso enjoy a good support base in Zvishavane while an army of their fans, based in Bulawayo, are expected to make the trip to cheer on their team.

Harare City do not have a big support base, even though they always have a small band of noisy fans backing them when they are playing at home or away, and can count on the supporters of the neutrals, who might want to see one of the small teams making it into the final.
With the cheapest ticket price still US$1, it should be attractive enough to lure thousands of fans to Mandava for what should be a close contest that will also be screened live on SuperSport 9.