Zimpapers Logo

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS FC face an uphill task to restore the faith of their fans when they take on Whawha FC in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.They have a heavily depleted squad and morale is low after their derby defeat to Chicken Inn last Saturday. Bosso were felled 2-1 by the table toppers at the same venue, a result that left them sitting eighth on the table with 14 points from 10 matches – nine points adrift of the pace-setters.

Bosso will be without seven regular first team players — skipper Felix Chindungwe, Teenage Hadebe, Nqobizitha Masuku, Thomas Chideu, Ozias Zibande, Douglas Sibanda and Gabriel Nyoni.

Chindungwe is serving a one-match ban after accumulating three yellow cards while strikers Zibande and Nyoni are out injured.

The quartet of Sibanda, Masuku, Hadebe and Chideu is away on national duty. Sibanda was part of the Warriors squad that was knocked out of the ongoing Cosafa Cup in dismal fashion following a humiliating 4-1 loss to Namibia in Rustenburg, South Africa while the other three are part of the Under-23 squad that faces Swaziland in an Olympic qualifier tomorrow.

Highlanders are also fretting over the availability of Erick Mudzingwa, who would be subjected to a late fitness test.

Under-fire coach Bongani Mafu has not had the luxury of a full squad since the beginning of the season and is pondering who to field in central defence against the PSL debutants.

Mafu has partnered Chindungwe with either Mudzingwa or Hadebe in central defence whenever Sibanda is nursing an injury.

A half fit Mudzingwa is likely to be thrown at centre back with veteran defensive midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa likely to be reassigned to partner him.

Maphosa was a defender during his days at Zimbabwe Saints.

Upfront, Chideu has been assigned as the target man with veteran Obidiah Tarumbwa supporting the youthful striker.

This means Simba Sithole, who has been on the sidelines, is likely to play alongside Tarumbwa.

Nyoni had been redeployed as a winger because of his speed and that position is likely to be filled by Rahman Kutsanzira or Knox Mutizwa.

Simon Munawa, Edmore Muzanenhamo, Welcome Ndiweni and Tendai Ngulube are Mafu’s options in central midfield.

Despite his depleted squad and previous under par performances, Mafu urged the Bosso fans to keep faith in the available players.

“We’ve got a good set of players and I know they’ll do their best against Whawha. I don’t want to make excuses for the team’s poor run but the truth is I’ve never had a full squad complement because of injuries and national duty.

“I’ve confidence in the boys because we’ve done well even with some key players missing. We’re looking forward to a good game against Whawha,” said Mafu.

Barbourfields Stadium was once Highlanders’ fortress but has now become a favourite venue for most visiting teams as they fancy their chances of walking away with maximum points compared to playing at their home grounds.

Bosso have gone for four outings without registering a victory at Barbourfields Stadium with their last win coming in Week Three of the PSL when they just managed to edge Hwange 1-0 courtesy of a Webster Chingodza goal. Since then, Bosso have lost three encounters against Chapungu, Caps United and Chicken Inn.

It’s the unconvincing performances at Barbourfields Stadium that gives Whawha coach Lloyd Mutasa hope of salvaging at least a point tomorrow.

“Obviously, coming from a defeat we want to bounce back and pick up the much needed points as we fight to catch up with other teams. Winning this game will boost my players’ confidence ahead of other matches to come. We’re aware that it won’t be an easy match but we’ve prepared well for this encounter,” said Mutasa.

Bosso should be wary of Whawha whose only two wins this season have come against formidable opponents in the form of defending champions Dynamos and FC Platinum.

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services side will certainly be hoping to claim another giant’s scalp tomorrow.

Mutasa has a largely full squad with the only notable absentees being Livingstone Genti on national duty and Gift Saunyama, who is nursing an ankle injury.

The prison warders’ hopes will be pinned on seasoned players Malvin Nyakabangwe, goalkeeper Philip Nhete, Gift Kwaramba, Roy Useni and Cleopas Pupurika.

Former Highlanders utility player Marshal Machazane, whose attempt to rejoin Bosso at the beginning of the season hit a brick wall, returns to face his boyhood club. Machazane is the Whawha skipper.

Chicken Inn are wary of Hwange, who they face at the Colliery Stadium this afternoon.

“Hwange are a good side and playing them at home is always tricky for every team in the league. It’ll be a tight game for us but we’re just going out there to make sure that we maintain consistency,” said Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas.

 

Fixtures

Today: Chapungu v Flame Lily (Ascot), ZPC Kariba v FC Platinum (Nyamhunga), Buffaloes v Harare City (Sakubva), Hwange v Chicken Inn (Colliery)

Tomorrow: Highlanders v Whawha (Barbourfields), Triangle United v How Mine (Gibbo), Dongo Sawmill v Caps United (Vengere)

Monday: Dynamos v Tsholotsho FC (Rufaro)