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Charles Sibanda

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
SOCCER enthusiasts in Bulawayo are in for a treat on Sunday when Highlanders and How Mine clash in a Castle Lager Premiership derby at Barbourfields Stadium.

Both teams have enjoyed good form in their last two outings with Bosso going into the game coming from a draw against FC Platinum and a victory over Whawha while How Mine dismissed challenges from Triangle United and ZPC Kariba.

The two teams would be looking to maintain their present form to close the gap on the league’s early pacesetters Chicken Inn.

How Mine are fourth on the league table with 21 points from 12 outings, three points above seventh placed Bosso, and the gold miners would particularly be seeking to continue their Premiership dominance over Highlanders.

How Mine will, however, be without suspended striker Charles Sibanda who received his third yellow card of the season in their 2-1 win against ZPC Kariba last Sunday.

This will certainly be a big blow for the gold miners’ coach Luke Masomere as Sibanda has been his team’s main man.

Missing Sunday’s match means the dreadlocked star will have to wait longer to play against his former paymasters.

In the absence of Sibanda, Masomere will have to turn to Limited Chikafa, who was rested in the encounter with ZPC Kariba and Kuda Musharu to lead his attack.

How Mine will also welcome back Young Warriors’ striker Mgcini Sibanda, who was part of the national Under-23 side that knocked out Swaziland from the African Championships qualifiers in Mbabane.

Though derbies are known to be self motivating, Masomere anticipates a tough encounter against Bosso hence the decision to rest some of his key players in the match against ZPC Kariba.

“The doctors are looking at defender Nelson Tachi, who was involved in a nasty collision during the ZPC Kariba game, but hopefully he will recover for the Highlanders match. I also rested Gilbert Banda because he picked up a calf injury against Triangle United and knowing that there’s a big game against Highlanders, there was no need to risk him. Chikafa also picked up a slight knock last week,” said Masomere.

He however said his team was facing Highlanders after a win against ZPC Kariba which was a good morale booster.

“Obviously the spirits are high in our camp because we hadn’t won two consecutive games this season and after doing so against Triangle United and ZPC Kariba, we seem to be on the right track. The game against Bosso is certainly going to be a big game because they also seem to have found good form,” said Masomere.

Since being promoted into the topflight league last season, How Mine have met Bosso five times, winning two league encounters and drawing once. The gold miners lost twice to Bosso, once in the league as well as in the Mbada Diamonds cup final.

On paper, How Mine has a formidable side starting from the back where they have Young Warriors’ goalkeeper Donovan Bernard, defenders Banda, Nyasha Mukumbi, Tapiwa Khumbuyani, Morris Kadzola and James Chitereki.

Menard Mupera, Wonder Sithole, Benjamin Marere and Thembani Masuku are some of the creative midfielders that are capable of carrying Masomere’s team through.

Fixtures

Saturday: ZPC Kariba vs Dynamos (Nyamhunga), Chapungu vs Chicken Inn (Ascot)

Sunday: Dongo Sawmill vs Harare City (Vengere), Buffaloes vs Whawha (Sakubva), Hwange vs FC Platinum (Colliery), Triangle United vs Tsholotsho FC (Gibbo), Caps United vs Flame Lily (National Sports Stadium), Highlanders vs How Mine (Barbourfields).