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Simba Sithole

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS FC might unleash their late mid season find Simba ‘S’gonondo’ Sithole as a replacement for the suspended Charles Sibanda when they take on Buffaloes at Hartsfield Grounds this afternoon.
Sithole was deregistered by Ajax Cape Town of South Africa in July this year after joining them in January and yesterday, the Highlanders chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede said they had forwarded the former How Mine forward’s papers to the Premier Soccer League.

“We sent his particulars to the league and we expect a response from them today (yesterday). On whether he will feature or not, that all depends on the technical team who said they were happy though with the way he has acclimatised to the system although his fitness was a bit of a concern,” said Gumede.

If Sithole rediscovers the form that made the Capetonian side part with $50,000 for his services, then Highlanders’ opposition defenders have some torrid times ahead of them, save for those that are already done and dusted with Bosso.

Coach Kelvin Kaindu also did not rule out the possibility of Sithole playing today.
“He may or may not play, we will make a decision later today (yesterday),” he said.

On the casualty list, the Bosso gaffer described the injuries as minor and said the affected players are up for selection.
Bosso were fretting over injuries to the central defence of skipper Innocent Mapuranga and Dumisani “Fazo” Ndlovu, Rahman Kutsanzira and Gabriel Nyoni.

The match is the first of three crucial league matches in consecutive days for Bulawayo football fans that will see three championship chasing teams in action over the next 72 hours, beginning this afternoon.

Gate charges, according to Gumede, will remain the same as in the Triangle United match with the cheapest ticket going for $5, wings $10 and the VIP at $20.
Tomorrow, struggling Bantu Rovers entertain visiting Caps United before gold miners How Mine wrap up the midweek action with a date against league debutants ZPC (Kariba) on Friday.

Amahlolanyama, Makepekepe and the electricity men are all in the race for the coveted Castle Lager Premiership title, come Week 30.
Sibanda, with 12 goals to his name so far, is one of the seven players who are suspended after accumulating three yellow cards.

Hwange will be the hardest hit as they are set to miss three players, Munyaradzi Mungadze, Aleck Marime and Rodwell Chinyengetere during their game against Shabanie Mine at Maglas Stadium tomorrow.

Leaders and champions Dynamos will be without Thomas Magorimbo with Morris Kadzola and Martin Vengesai of How Mine and Harare City respectively completing the suspension list.

Moses Chunga, the Buffaloes coach, said they were ready for Highlanders and will fight for every ball.
“We have no injuries and as such we are going to compete on equal terms with Highlanders. Some people are talking of an upset but I don’t think it’s a proper analysis, an upset can only happen when playing minnows say from Division One but both these teams are in the elite league so they won’t be any upset and besides just nine points separate us,” said Chunga who took over the reigns from Luke Masomere after a rocky stay at Chiredzi.

Asked whether he was hoping for luck against Bosso like the 2002 act when his Kidznet Dynamos shocked a then seemingly invincible Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium, Chunga reacted angrily to his feat being attributed to luck.

“That is an insult when you say I won because of luck, there is a lot of hard work and planning that comes with such results,” said the man nicknamed Razorman during his playing days.

Another Bulawayo side in action today, Chicken Inn, hopes to cause a huge upset by becoming the first side to collect maximum points against Chapungu at Ascot Stadium.

Gamecocks coach Joe Antipas put up a brave face despite his boys bowing out of the One Wallet Cup 4-5 on penalties against Triangle United.
“It’s unfortunate we lost that match because we could have wrapped it up inside 90 minutes, the boys played well generally but could not bury the chances,” said Antipas.

He said the undefeated home record by Chapungu does not intimidate them.
“We can only give them respect, nothing else. As we go into the field our aim will be to return to Bulawayo with maximum points,” said the 2010 championship winning coach with Motor Action.

FIXTURES
Today: Chapungu v Chicken Inn (Ascot Stadium) 1500hrs, Dynamos v Chiredzi (Rufaro Stadium) 1500hrs, Highlanders v Buffaloes (Hartsfield Stadium) 1500hrs, Black Rhinos v Harare City (Rimuka Stadium) 1500hrs, Triangle United v FC Platinum (Gibbo Stadium) 1500hrs
Thursday: Shabanie Mine v Hwange (Maglas Stadium )1500hrs Bantu Rovers v Caps United (Hartsfield Stadium) 1500hrs
Friday: How Mine vs ZPC Kariba (Hartsfield Stadium) 1500hrs