admin
Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THREE derbies, Highlanders against Bantu Rovers in Bulawayo, Caps United versus Dynamos in Harare and FC Platinum squaring off with Shabanie Mine in Zvishavane mark the end of the first half of the season.
Highlanders and Bantu Rovers clash at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow in the sixth Bulawayo Premiership derby of the season with both teams hoping to eclipse each other by claiming the most points out of City of Kings duels.
Never mind that, defending champions Dynamos are playing Caps United in the “Battle of Harare” at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow, it will be folly to underline the capital derby as the game of the week as the result at Barbourfields Stadium also has a bearing on how the championship race takes off in the second window.
At Mandava Stadium this afternoon, it’s all about Zvishavane bragging rights even though both teams are far from title contention.
A cracker of a game is expected with Highlanders sitting at the apex of the Premiership standings enjoying just a point above Dynamos and Caps United who are tied on 26 points.
Bosso is aware of the danger that Bantu Rovers pose as Tshintsha Guluva has collected maximum points against city rivals Chicken Inn who they beat 1-2 and How Mine who they clobbered 3-1.
Having already claimed the scalp of the other two Bulawayo clubs, Bantu Rovers would want to add Highlanders to their list of City of Kings Premiership casualties.
On the other hand, Bosso have played two derbies and collected four points and knowing very well that it is local teams that cost them the championship in 2012 and 2013 after failing to garner as many points as possible, the tide favours Highlanders. The Bulawayo giants drew with Chicken Inn and beat How Mine 1-2 last weekend and they would want to continue with their form.
“Like I said before we used to struggle in derbies in the last two seasons not because we play badly but because somewhere somehow the weakness that we had was complacency and losing concentration. That is what we have to stand guard against.
“It will be a competitive game against Bantu Rovers and never mind the position that they are in, they are a good side. It is our wish and hope that we will be able to finish the first half of the season where we are and that requires us to get a positive result on Sunday,” said Highlanders coach, Kelvin Kaindu.
The Zambian gaffer had a full strength squad yesterday afternoon before his team played visiting Mamelodi Sundowns in a friendly, with only Welcome Ndiweni missing due to suspension with an injury ruling out winger Rahman Kutsanzira.
Bosso welcomes back vice-captain Erick Mudzingwa who missed their last league match due to suspension and veteran midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa who was on the bench when Highlanders beat How Mine 2-1 last weekend might make a return. Both midfielders are competing for places in the starting line-up with rejuvenated Joel “Josta” Ngodzo, Knox Mutizwa, Hillary Madzivanyika, Valentine Ndaba and youngsters Godfrey Makaruse and King Nadolo.
Evergreen Charles Sibanda and Gabriel Nyoni are trusted to lead Bosso’s attack with maybe Ozias Zibande coming from the bench.
Impressive goalkeeper Ariel “Mangoye” Sibanda is expected to guard the goal for Highlanders.
With Bantu Rovers playing in the murky relegation waters, Highlanders should be wary of the 13th-placed club.
Tshintsha Guluva have a number of ex-Bosso players who might want to cause an upset to the Bulawayo giants like defensive trio of Zephaniah Ngodzo, Herbert Dick and Lawson Nkomo subject to a late fitness test, strikers Patrick “Mboma” Mpofu and Obadiah Tarumbwa.
Bantu Rovers’ coach Methembe Ndlovu, the last gaffer to win the Premiership title with Highlanders in 2006 said they are underdogs and want to improve on their standings.
“It would be foolish of us to think that we have to dominate derbies because you can win against local team and at the end of the day you remain stuck at the bottom. What is important which is a reality is that we have not won as many games as we would have and ultimately as a coach I am responsible for results which means I have been looking at our shortcomings and tried to work on them ahead of the game.
“It is the responsibility of the whole group to get good results and what is most important is to take care of little things like completing passes, defending as a unit and avoid giving away fouls at precarious places,” said Ndlovu.
Bantu Rovers’ players to watch include captain Nqobizitha Masuku, Proud Zireni, Raphael Kutinyu, veteran striker Sizalobuhle Dube as well as goalkeeper Takunda Mutanga.
In other matches, Hwange take on struggling Harare City at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon with Philani “Beefy” Ncube expected to watch his How Mine outfit from the terraces when they take on Black Rhinos at Rimuka Stadium tomorrow.
Fixtures
Today: Harare City v Hwange (Rufaro, 3PM SuperSport9), FC Platinum v Shabanie Mine (Mandava)
Tomorrow: Caps United v Dynamos (National Sports Stadium, 3PM SuperSport9), Black Rhinos v How Mine (Rimuka), Buffaloes v Chiredzi (Sakubva), Triangle United v Chapungu (Gibbo), Highlanders v Bantu Rovers (Barbourfields)
Online Reporter