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A HUGE surprise awaits Highlanders fans when their team unleashes new talent when the Bulawayo giants face FC Platinum in a tricky Week Two Castle Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.
It will be the two sides’ second clash in as many weeks with the last encounter being the ZNA Charities Shield semi-final affair which the Bulawayo giants won 4-3 on penalties.
And barely 24 hours before the match yesterday, Cosmas “Tsano’’ Zulu, the Highlanders’ teams’ technical supervisor, was circumspect about the outcome saying it will be “no easy stroll in the park”.
“To be quite honest we are taking this game seriously, we have adequately prepared for this match. We know that FC Platinum is a very good side; we should not beat about the bush. We will be very happy if we come out with the three points. The game will certainly be no stroll in the park, we are going to put a 100 percent effort though knowing that we are playing a good side, with good players and a good coach,’’ said Zulu.
In the ZNA Charities match played at the same venue, Kugona Kunenge Kudada gave Bosso a run around, with methodical build-ups while dominating the exchanges in the vital midfield department — and the fact that Highlanders won the match through the lottery shows how much of a threat the visitors could be.
However, Zulu was non-committal about how his side will respond to that threat likely to be posed by the FC Platinum trio of Winston Mhango, Nqobizitha Masuku and Gerald Takwara, who will certainly have a greater say in the outcome of the match.
“Yes I agree with your observation but that is a tactical thing, (and) I don’t want to sell our tactics to Mapeza (Norman),’’ said Zulu.
Appealing for the support of the 12th man in the form of the expectant large Highlanders’ following expected to throng Emagumeni, Zulu disclosed that they will be “a huge surprise” for them in the form of new talent.
“There is a big surprise for the supporters. They should come and witness the talent we are unleashing, very good talent. As the technical department we appeal to them to give us the 12th man advantage. When we played in Hwange, it was like we were playing at BF, the support was out of this world. We expect the same on Sunday (today),’’ said Zulu.
Although Zulu could not reveal any names one of the “talents’’ might be Kasimero Chimbadzwa who completed his move to Bosso from ZRP FC (Harare). Highlanders buoyed by a 3-0 away win at Hwange in their first assignment of the 2016 league season have useful players on fire such as Bruce Kangwa, and Knox Mutizwa, who both found the nets last time out, while the return of Eric Mudzingwa will add that much needed stability at the back.
Last year’s league runners-up FC Platinum are also oozing with confidence following a 2-1 win over Tsholotsho and they will look to their talisman Walter Musona, speed winger Marshall Mudehwe, and the dangerous duo of Brian Muzondiwa, and Obrey Chirwa.
How they played since 2013
FC Platinum 0, Highlanders 0
Highlanders 2, FC Platinum 1
Highlanders 1, FC Platinum 1
FC Platinum 0, Highlanders 1
FC Platinum 2, Highlanders 2
Highlanders 1, FC Platinum 2.
Fixtures
Today: Border Strikers v Chicken Inn (Maglas), Highlanders v FC Platinum (Barbourfields), Ngezi Platinum Stars v CAPS United (Baobab).
Bongani Ndlovu