Zimpapers Logo

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS coach Kelvin Kaindu has urged his troops to prepare for a hostile reception when they face a rejuvenated Harare City at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
Aware that Dynamos will be at Mandava while Caps United play on Sunday, Kaindu knows that the two teams’ supporters will, for 90 minutes unite in rallying behind Harare City.

“We just need to be psychologically prepared for the atmosphere that will be there, it’s clear that the opposition supporters will throw their weight behind Harare City but all we need is to be focused on our own game plan and avoid being distracted,” said Kaindu who missed last season’s 4-0 humiliation at the hands of the Sunshine Boys.

It’s a match that former skipper Innocent Mapuranga would certainly not want to remember because he had a nightmarish performance with Silas Songani having a field day.  Luckily for Mapuranga his tormentor is now based in Denmark but Harare City coach Masimba Dinyero might unleash Nathan Ziwini.

“We were humiliated yes and we lost the championship in the process but once we concentrate on the past we will be losing the plot big time. Our focus should be on the Saturday (tomorrow) match,” said Kaindu.

Amahlolanyama depart Bulawayo without gangly central defender Dumisani Fazo Ndlovu and utility player Simon Munawa. The two players are among the nine that will miss action this weekend due to suspensions.

The other players set to miss out are Andrew Chuma (Hwange), Themba Ndlovu (Dynamos), Obadiah Tarumbwa (Bantu Rovers), Moses Majika (Bantu Rovers), Steven Matsangaise (Black Rhinos), Benson Maglasi (Harare City) and  Mike Nyamukasa (Buffaloes).

The match will be one of four Castle Lager Premiership games lined up tomorrow following last weekend’s break due to the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals.

Champions Dynamos will be away to FC Platinum, Chiredzi play host to fellow relegation candidates Shabanie Mine at Chishamiso Stadium while another battle for survival is at Hartsfield Grounds, pitting Bulawayo sides Chicken Inn and Bantu Rovers.

The Gamecocks gaffer Joey Antipas admitted feeling the heat and said they are hard-pressed for a victory.  Theoretically, his side have a stronger squad than Bantu Rovers but he is wary of his neighbours.

They will have to contend with the likes of veteran defender Hebert Dick, Zephaniah Ngodzo and Nqobizitha Masuku who are Bantu Rovers’ most experienced players.

Coach Mandla Mpofu is upbeat about the new challenge and is determined to fight on. He said they have nothing to lose and are under no pressure.

Real action though will be at Mandava and Rufaro stadiums.

Kaindu said they have been preparing well for the match but was concerned about injuries in his camp.  He did not name the players who were limping.

His counterpart Dinyero said: “They beat us 0-1 at Barbourfields Stadium in the first leg and now it’s our time to collect maximum points at their expense. We are playing at home and we need to win at all costs. Morale is high in camp and we have no injury worries.”

He has led Harare City to one draw, three wins and a loss in their last five matches. Bosso have collected two losses, two wins and a draw over the same period.

Highlanders have to be wary of striker Osborne Mukuradare who returns after serving suspension and would want to prove that he is back on form.

For Amahlolanyama, newly appointed skipper Ariel Sibanda, who has kept three clean sheets in their last three league matches will once again keep guard while a huge decision has to be made on the central defence.

Webster Chingodza, a second window find from Tripple B, is likely to be given the nod to operate on the right back position. In the How Mine game, he showed a lot of positional discipline, venturing forward only when necessary. With Harare City known to be good on the wings, Bosso definitely need such men on the wings. Veteran Mapuranga bounces back into the thick of things and will be partnered by the ever committed Erick Mudzingwa.

Midfield enforcer Felix “SaNicky” Chindungwe, Joel Ngodzo and dribbling wizard Rahman Kutsanzira  will take care of issues in the midfield with Charles Sibanda set to operate as a libero. Gabriel Nyoni and  Simba “Sgonondo” Sithole will complete the infield line-up although Kaindu has been quoted in some circles saying he might unleash Tapiwa Dephistard in the starting line-up.

Chindungwe, a box-to-box player, will be the man to watch in midfield as he has developed a knack for scoring crucial goals for Highlanders.

Failure to collect maximum points tomorrow might see Highlanders falling to position four on the table, especially if ZPC Kariba and Caps United come good in their matches.

Highlanders are yet to score past Harare City at Rufaro Stadium since their entry in 2012.

Troubled Caps United host How Mine, now under Luke Masomere at Rufaro Stadium. Masomere is on record saying he is building a team for the 2015 season although reality on the ground is that the gold miners should worry more about surviving this year.

Another championship hopeful, Hwange will be at home to airmen Chapungu.

Fixtures
Saturday: Chicken Inn v Bantu Rovers (Hartsfield), FC Platinum v Dynamos (Mandava), Harare City v Highlanders (Rufaro), Chiredzi v Shabanie Mine (Chishamiso)

Sunday: Caps United v How Mine (Rufaro), Buffaloes v Triangle United (Sakubva), Hwange v Chapungu (Colliery), ZPC Kariba v Black Rhinos (TBA)