adminon home soil while Bosso are also unbeaten on their travels so far this season.
The big game pits a home side led by Tennant Chilumba and a Bosso team led by Kevin Kaindu and the showdown of the coaches from the north of the Zambezi would have made a fascinating story for the Times of Zambia.
Chilumba doesn’t want to say too much, given that he is new at the country’s richest football club, and most of the interviews are conducted by his assistant Tendai Chikuni.
“It is going to be a crucial match against Highlanders and we have to win the match at all costs,” said Chikuni.
“We just need to focus and avoid panicking.”
He said the fans will play a big role and wants all their supporters to come and create a carnival at Mandava.
“We want our fans to be peaceful and I am calling for unity from both sets of fans,” said Chikuni after Bosso’s last visit to this mining town torched crowd trouble at Maglas.
“I am also hoping that Fair Play is going to prevail.
“The last time Highlanders were in Zvishavane there were ugly scenes of violence and we do not want that to happen.”
The explosive match is expected to attract a full house in this mining town and Highlanders fans are also expected to travel to Mandava in large numbers.
The last time Bosso were in Zvishavane violence erupted and the club has been fined US$8 000 by the Premier Soccer League.
Highlanders lost their first match at Mandava in 2011 when FC Platinum was still under the guidance of Rahman Gumbo.
FC Platinum are likely to miss the services of midfield star and former Bosso player, Joel Ngodzo, who has to pass a late fitness test.
Raphael Muduviwa is also still injured but Obrey Chirwa could play after getting his work permit yesterday.
Zambian international Aaron Katebe has finally been cleared by the Zifa Players’ Status Committee and is now free to play for FC Platinum if he gets his work permit.
Captain Daniel Veremu is expected to lead from the front and a lot is expected from forward Ali Sadiki.
They will come up against former FC Platinum player Mthulisi Maphosa, who always reserves his best for the miners.
Bekhimpilo Ncube is another former FC Platinum player who could haunt the home side.
Kaindu and his men are unbeaten on their travels this season and came out of Rufaro with a point, after conceding a late goal, against champions Dynamos.
They already know what it takes to win here, after having beaten Shabanie Mine, and last year they destroyed FC Platinum at Mandava.
The gate charges have been hiked to US$5 for the cheapest ticket with the VVIP tickets going for US$10 and US$20.
Meanwhile, Shabanie Mine coach Luke Masomere says Harare City are one of the richest clubs in the Premiership.
Shabanie host City at Maglas tomorrow.
“Harare City are just like FC Platinum because they have everything. We are a struggling team which does not have anything to show,” said Masomere.
“The only difference is that when we beat FC Platinum they were sitting on the summit of the log and on Sunday Harare City comes to Maglas sitting on fourth position.
“I am, however, fighting against complacency in my team because if they relax tinourawa.”
Masomere guided his team to a 3-2 victory over CAPS United at Gwanzura in their last match, their second win in three games since the coach returned.
“I am here because I love the fans that supported me during the time I was banned,” said Masomere.
“I travel to Harare and the same distance back as a way of giving back to the fans and if I die on the way I will not be compensated because I do not have a contract.
“I want to remind fans that we are still fighting relegation. We are not yet safe and we have to move up from the relegation zone starting from Sunday.”
Harare City coach Bigboy Mawiwi travelled with his team yesterday and they were scheduled to stay in Masvingo as they prepare for tomorrow’s game.
“I respect Masomere very well. I worked with him at Dynamos. He is a hard worker and a very good coach and everyone in Zimbabwe knows that,” said Mawiwi.
“We might be on fourth position but the league is very tough and any team can win.
“We respect our opponents, we are focused on the battle and the better team of the day is going to win.”
Online Reporter