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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
Bulawayo giants Highlanders, whose strikers are yet to score, clash with the scoreless Gweru airmen, Chapungu on Sunday in a premier league game at Barbourfields Stadium.
Bosso strikers are under pressure to score given that ZPC Kariba’s Raphael Manuvire and Edmore Chirambadare from Chicken Inn have already scored four and three goals respectively.
Highlanders whose players have been dogged by injuries have scored just two goals in four outings, all coming from defenders while Chapungu are yet to score this season.
Bosso coach Bongani Mafu has defended the defenders’ scoring saying all players are supposed to score. At this stage last year Bosso had scored eight goals and conceded two.
Young striker Thomas Chideu though a very talented player, has not yet come to the party but like what former prolific striker Zenzo Moyo said yesterday, he, like his strike partners need to be composed and calm when in front of goal.
During the Tsholotsho match, Highlanders forwards took turns to miss glaring opportunities and at one time Chideu and Gabriel Nyoni looked like defenders jostling to clear the ball from the Tsholotsho goalline with Mariyoni Chang miles aware.
On Sunday Highlanders come up against a side whose coach John Nyikadzino is on record saying his players are the most physically fit in the league.
Veteran coach and Caf instructor Gibson Homela believes the two coaches have to adopt a very offensive strategy if goals are to come.
“What I know is that a striker is not created but born and if you go for such long periods without scoring then something could be wrong somewhere. It’s either the coach is adopting a defensive system or the strikers are simply not good enough.
“I believe we have to see a different approach to the game because what is there now is not giving us goals. If they have been using a 4-4-2 formation then it could be time to try a 4-3-3, which is offensive because of the creation of another attacking option,” said Homela.
He said the addition of another figure upfront will naturally create more attacking opportunities.
“The idea is to have more people into the box,” said Homela.
The weekend’s matches will also see two clubs that have not lost so far squaring off at Gibbo Stadium while at the Colliery, another dressing room shake-up is looming in the event that Hwange fail to win against for Buffaloes.
Surprise package so far, Triangle, under former Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu who had an unceremonious departure from the Bulawayo giants towards the end of last season, welcomes Caps United, a club whose demise looks imminent.
Makepekepe though have refused to let administrative problems affect their performance on the pitch but on Sunday, that drive will come under very severe test.
Kaindu has transformed the Lowveld side into a potent force capable of beating any side in the league, Caps United included. If the Green Machine manages to fulfil the match, then certainly a humdinger match is on the cards.
While the league title has not be won outside Harare and Bulawayo, Triangle cannot be ruled out as possible history makers this season.
League action begins on Saturday with ZPC Kariba who are fourth on the league table, entertaining new boys Dongo Sawmill at Gwanzura Stadium while How Mine, yet to win at Luveve Stadium square off with ambitious Harare City. Harare City and How Mine were very busy on the market during the off-season and top flight football is therefore expected.
The gold miners are set to get three points from the match they were supposed to play Caps United but the match had to be abandonded after Caps United players refused to play demanding payment of their dues.
Masomere said he felt short-changed because his plan was to beat Caps United 6-0.
Caps United coach Mark Harrison hit back saying: “I want to say the How Mine coach (Masomere) is day dreaming if he thinks he can beat us 6-0. He has been smoking palm tree I think.”
Another Bulawayo side, Chicken Inn are on the road to the Midlands for a date with FC Platinum, recently booted out of the Caf Confederation Cup
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