Ricky Zililo in Bulawayo and Lovemore Zigara in Gweru
IT’S a must-win tie for Bulawayo City when they take on Highlanders in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow. City, who are third from the bottom with two points after three outings, face fifth-placed Highlanders, who have amassed six points, knowing that defeat could thrust them into the relegation zone too soon.

City’s two points are from Week One’s 2-2 draw against How Mine and last weekend’s 1-1 away stalemate with ZPC Kariba. They lost 0-1 to Tsholotsho in the other game. City’s coach Philani Ncube is bullish ahead of tomorrow’s encounter.

“What we want are three points. We’re in the league to compete and not to donate points. We’ve braced for a tight contest and for us to stay in the league, we’ve to win matches, including local derbies, because if we lose to Bulawayo teams, we might find ourselves relegated,” said Ncube.

City have a number of experienced players who can match Highlanders on a good day. They will bank on seasoned goalkeeper Ndodana Sibanda to command his defence, which is likely to comprise Brighton Dube and Nyasha Mukumbi in central defence, with Lewis Ncube and Terrence Majo playing as wingbacks.

Former national Under-20 player Proud Zireni and Xolisani Moyo will play in central midfield, while Eddie Nkulungo, Humphrey Ncube and Mkhokheli Dube will complete the midfield.

Either Mkhululi Moyo or Thomas Chimenya will play as the lone striker. Highlanders, who are without injured striker Ralph Matema, will once again bank on Knox Mutizwa, who has three league goals and Bruce Kangwa to lead their attack.

Young striker Prince Dube, who scored his first goal last weekend against Tsholotsho, is likely to come from the bench in the second half and would want to continue with his good form.

Highlanders made lots of defensive errors against Tsholotsho last week and will be hoping captain Felix Chindungwe, Tendai Ndlovu, Benson Phiri and Honest Moyo communicate better. Simon Munawa, King Nadolo, Adrian Silla and Rahman Kutsanzira will patrol the midfield for Bosso.

Chindungwe is confident of victory.

“We worked on our mistakes and we’re now looking forward to the derby. It’s another tricky game, which I believe the hungrier team will walk away with the points. They’re hard-pressed for a win and we don’t want to be the first club to lose to Bulawayo City,” said Chindungwe.

Airmen Chapungu said they want to record their second win of the season when they take on Tsholotsho at Ascot Stadium this afternoon. The Gweru-based side has been operating in fits and starts, losing their first game of the season 0-3 to Caps United before beating Hwange 2-0.

Chapungu lost 0-1 to FC Platinum in Zvishavane last Sunday, the same day that their opponents today lost 1-2 to Highlanders in Bulawayo. Chapungu would be banking on home advantage after making Ascot Stadium their citadel since their return to the topflight league three seasons ago.

Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino said his side is looking at nothing short of maximum points in today’s game.

“We expect to play well after rectifying our mistakes from the last game. We haven’t been creating goal scoring opportunities, but we’ve been working hard at training and the strikers seem to be sharpening their shooting. We’re therefore confident of a win tomorrow,” said Nyikadzino.

Chapungu will be banking on the former Dynamos duo of Allen Tavarwisa and Patrick Khumbula for goals in the absence of skipper Phillip Marufu, who is nursing an injury together with Nhlanhla Ncube.

However, Tsholotsho will not be pushovers and coach Lizwe Sweswe says his charges are up to today’s challenge. “We’re ready for tomorrow’s game. We know that Chapungu play well at home, but we’re up to the challenge. We’ve no reason to come out of Ascot without maximum points,” he said.

In other games, How Mine take on Triangle at Luveve Stadium this afternoon while champions Chicken Inn are away to ZPC Kariba.

Fixtures
Saturday: Harare City v Hwange (Rufaro, SuperSport, 3PM), Chapungu v Tsholotsho FC (Ascot), How Mine v Triangle United (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v Chicken Inn (Nyamhunga)

Sunday: Bulawayo City v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Caps United (Rufaro, SuperSport, 3PM)

Monday: Ngezi Platinum v FC Platinum (Baobab, SuperSport, 1PM), Border Strikers v Mutare City Rovers (Maglas)

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