Zimpapers Logo

Charles Sibanda

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS FC begin the final lap to realising their dream of winning the championship which they last laid their hands on in 2006 with a tricky fixture against Bantu Rovers at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.
The Bulawayo giants, who have coded their campaign “Operation restore glory”, will be hoping for an improved performance after grinding out a 4-2 victory over Tshintsha Guluva in their last league game.

Bantu Rovers were by far the better team of the day when they lost to Highlanders a fortnight ago and the Bosso coach Kelvin Kaindu is aware of the danger that their opponents pose.

The Zambian expatriate, who lost the 2012 and 2013 championship to Dynamos because they had an inferior goal difference for two consecutive seasons, knows the importance of picking up as many points as possible in local derbies.

Highlanders, in the two seasons they were beaten to the title by their bitter rivals, lost many points to local teams and they seem to have corrected that, at least for now.

Going into tomorrow’s game, Kaindu will bank on Charles Sibanda, who scored a hattrick against Bantu Rovers and another boost for them is the availability for selection of striker Gabriel Nyoni who missed the Tshintsha Guluva tie due to injury.

Nyoni and Sibanda, who has 10 goals under his name, are likely to lead the attack for Bosso with mid-season signing Tapiwa “Sugar” Dephistara making his debut on the right side of midfield ahead of Knox Mutizwa.

No doubt, Highlanders fans will want to see Dephistara playing regularly instead of being a benchwarmer like flops Tinashe Chipunza and Master Masitara who were signed during the same period last season and failed to deliver.

Goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya might also be given the nod ahead of Ariel Sibanda who only started training on Thursday as he had been down with a bout of flu.

“I can’t complain much in terms of preparations because almost everyone has been training save for Simon Munawa and goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda who had not been feeling well. On a positive note Ariel started training on Thursday and we will assess him today.

“We are ready to face Bantu Rovers but I must admit it will be a tough game because derbies are always tricky but we hope to get the best out of the game,” said Kaindu.

With Dynamos breathing heavily on Highlanders’ neck as they are three points behind with 27 points, Bosso are aware of the importance of winning against Bantu Rovers who are fighting for survival.

It remains to be seen how Kaindu’s men will deal with Bantu Rovers’ midfield quartet of skipper Nqobizitha Masuku, Bukhosi “Zakhu” Sibanda, Tafadzwa Kutinyu and Moses Majika who were a thorn in the flesh of Bosso in the first leg.

Bantu Rovers received a blow after Obadiah Tarumbwa was suspended for the game after accumulating three yellow cards.
They welcome back Fortune “Fokoza” Ncube who has been on the sidelines for a while with a nagging muscle injury.

Veterans Zephaniah Ngodzo, utility player Proud “Sjankala” Zireni and Hebert Dick are some of the seasoned players expected to guide the youthful Bantu Rovers team.

“What is important is to get a positive result. We don’t want to pile pressure on the boys and say this is a must-win game because there are 14 more matches to be played after this encounter.

“It will be a tight game because the guys know each other and since it’s a derby, it’s anyone’s game and hopefully the best team of the day will get a positive result,” said Bantu Rovers coach Methembe Ndlovu.

Meanwhile, at Luveve Stadium this afternoon, Chicken Inn will be hoping to become the first team to beat ZPC Kariba. Chicken Inn have confirmed through their website the arrival of Last Chibwiro. He will add firepower to their attack which has Tendai Mukambi, Canaan Nkomo, Ramson Zhuwawo and Frank Bushire who is yet to hit top form.

Fixtures
Today: Chapungu v Triangle United (Ascot), Chicken Inn v ZPC Kariba (Luveve)
Tomorrow: Dynamos v Caps United (National Sports Stadium, 3PM SuperSport), Chiredzi v Buffaloes (Chishamiso), Bantu Rovers v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Shabanie Mine v FC Platinum (Maglas), Hwange v Harare City (Colliery)