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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS’ skipper Felix Chindungwe yesterday called on his teammates to “rise and shine” in their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash against Caps United tomorrow.The Bulawayo giants face their old foes from the capital at Barbourfields Stadium for the second time this year having succumbed to a 1-2 defeat in a Bob91 Super Cup in March.

Chindungwe — who was on the bench when Bosso lost to Caps United — is positive that his teammates will come to party tomorrow as they want to hunt for a second successive league win.

Bosso go into the game oozing in confidence following their slender 1-0 away win at Dongo Sawmill.

“Morale in camp is high and everyone is geared up for the game. This is one game where the players just have to rise to the occasion and shine because besides the three points, bragging rights are at stake. It’s going to be a difficult game and psychologically, Caps United players think they’ve an advantage over us because they won the last time we met. They’ve to think again because we’re ready to fight for three points,” Chindungwe said.

Caps United have been hit by a financial crisis and it remains to be seen if their players will be able to forget about the challenges that the club is facing when they take on Bosso.

Chindungwe said they are not reading much into Caps United’s problems and are focused on getting three points.

The Bosso skipper also spoke about the need to cultivate consistency and make it difficult for their opponents to get three points on a silver platter.

In their last match at Barbourfields Stadium, Highlanders suffered a shock 0-1 defeat to Chapungu, something that Chindungwe says should not be repeated.

“Consistency is one thing the coach has been emphasising on. If we rise to the occasion and treat each game as if it’s a cup final, we will be able to get maximum points. We just have to win this game and restore confidence to our supporters. It’s not good to lose points, especially at home.”
Chindungwe is competing for a starting place in central defence with Young Warriors’ teenage Hadebe and Douglas Sibanda who received a national team call-up at the beginning of the week.

There is also utility player Erick Mudzingwa on standby for a role in central defence.

Webster Chingodza is guaranteed to start on the right side of defence with either Honest Moyo or Julius Daudi completing the backline.
Competition is also stiff for places in the midfield.

Simon Munawa returned from the terraces and is said to have played a game of his life in Rusape in the Dongo Sawmill win.

He is fighting for a place as a defensive link with Tendai Ngulube, Edmore Muzanenhamo and Mudzingwa.

Nqobizitha Masuku — scorer against Dongo Sawmill — is likely to be fielded behind the strikers with Bruce Kangwa and Gabriel Nyoni given attacking roles.

Highlanders’ strikers who are yet to score in the Premiership, Thomas Chideu, Ozias Zibande and Simba Sithole, will be out to end their impotency.

The Bosso forwards are expected to take advantage of Caps United’s makeshift defence due to injuries on leftback Ronald Pfumbidzai and central defender Carlton Munzabwa.

Pfumbidzai is nursing ankle and thigh injuries while Munzabwa has a groin problem.

Caps United might be forced to use George Nyirenda covering up for Pfumbidzai while Dominic Mukandi will be thrown at central defence.

The Green Machine’s coach Mark Harrison declared that his side is coming to Bulawayo for maximum points.

Caps United will be hoping for striker Roderick Mutuma to pass a late fitness test and make it for the trip to Bulawayo. Mutuma and dribbling wizard Takudzwa Mahori were the scorers for the Harare side when they beat Highlanders 2-1.

Harrison will bank on veteran goalkeeper Victor Twaliki, captain Hardlife Zvirekwi, find-of-the-season Crispen Machisi, Leonard Fiyado, Moses Muchenje and Stephen Makatuka.

In Harare, defending champions Dynamos play host to pacesetters Chicken Inn at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow.

Kelvin Kaindu’s Triangle United are faced with a tricky home encounter with Harare City while Hwange will be searching for their first victory of the season when they take on Dongo Sawmill at the Colliery.

Fixtures

Today: How Mine v Whawha (Barbourfields, 3PM SuperSport), ZPC Kariba v Flame Lily (Gwanzura)

Tomorrow: Highlanders v Caps United (Barbourfields, 3PM SuperSport), Buffaloes v Chapungu (Sakubva), Hwange v Dongo Sawmill (Colliery), Triangle United v Harare City (Gibbo), Dynamos v Chicken Inn (Rufaro).