Two to miss Chibuku semis

Lovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
TWO players will miss the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals set for the capital this weekend because of suspension. Harare City, who clash with Highlanders at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday, will be without James Jam who accumulated two yellow cards in matches against ZPC Kariba and Chiredzi FC in the opening two rounds of the tournament.

According to information released by the Premier Soccer League’s competitions manager Elisha Mandireva, Black Rhinos will be without Obey Gada who will be serving his second suspension match after accumulating two yellow cards in the opening match of the tournament.

“The following player(s) will be suspended during the semi-final matches for accumulating two yellow cards during the tournament. James Jam in matches against ZPC Kariba and Chiredzi FC.

“Also take note that Obey Gada will be serving his second match suspension for accumulating two yellow cards in one match,” wrote Mandireva.

Highlanders, still leaking wounds of an embarrassing start to the second half of the league, are pitted against Harare City on Sunday. This will be a stern test for Bosso coach Mark Mathe and technical advisor Cosmas Zulu whose combination will be in action for the first time.

It is still too early to expect changes as it takes up to eight weeks for players to discard a former coach’s style of football.

Highlanders’ fans will be hoping that the chemistry gets to be there to get their side going.

Masimba Dinyero, who found Harare City hovering in the relegation harbour, has turned them into a competitive side which is playing some entertaining football.

On Saturday FC Platinum get the ball rolling with a game against Black Rhinos at Rufaro Stadium. The Saturday and Sunday matches are both expected to be broadcast live by SuperSport.

Donald Ngoma, Obrey Chirwa, Daniel Vheremu and Petros Mhari’s experience is expected to play a role against a side Jostein Mathuthu has moulded into giant killers having claimed the scalps of Dynamos and Highlanders in the Premiership.

With Highlanders having been on a low of late, an all-Southern Region final looks unlikely.

Bosso can however not be completely ruled out given their history of rising against odds.

They go into the weekend game as underdogs as a result of their poor performance of late.

There are handsome pickings for the winners who will pocket $75,000.