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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS vice-skipper Erick “Tsiba” Mudzingwa is likely to miss the rest of the season following a knee injury he suffered in the first half of their Chibuku Super Cup semi-final tie against Harare City last Sunday.
Highlanders lost the match 1-3 and were subsequently booted out of the $500,000 tournament and will now have to settle for the $25,000 prize money reserved for the semi-final losers.

Mudzingwa sustained the injury when he fell, knee first, on the artificial turf of Rufaro Stadium as he tried to chase a loose ball. He was eventually pulled out and replaced by Simon Munawa in the 31st minute on an afternoon that did not go well for the Bulawayo giants as another defender Bruce Kangwa was also pulled out due to injury a minute later.

Kangwa had to be rushed to hospital after receiving a cut on his head but head coach Mark Mathe said the leftback was now up and about and attending training with the rest of the boys.

He however remains a worried man about his vice skipper, who can be played as a right back, central defender or even holding midfielder.

“The injury was really bad and team doctors have advised that they’ll have to put a knee brace and then give him a crutch to assist him in walking,” said Mathe, adding that he was yet to get a feedback from the medical team on when they think the player could be fit for duty.

With just five league matches remaining and facing a possibility of losing the top four spot that guarantees them a semi-final berth in the season-ending Mbada Diamonds Cup, it is highly unlikely that Mudzingwa will recover in time to get back to the field this year.

Seasoned coach Cosmas Zulu earlier this week told Chronicle Sport that Mudzingwa’s season could be over.

“The boy was badly hurt and I don’t think he’ll get back to the field this season but you never know with some of these things,” said Zulu.

Rufaro Stadium has been condemned by many coaches including Dynamos gaffer Callisto Pasuwa and former national team coach Ian “Dibango” Gorowa who felt it exposed players to injuries as it was not being properly maintained as per expected standards.

The pitch is supposed to be sprinkled with water 15 minutes before kick and during halftime but that is not done.