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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
WHO will take his scoring boots to Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday between Kuda Musharu and Charles Sibanda when How Mine host Highlanders?Musharu is the league’s top scorer with eight goals after 13 matches with Sibanda just a goal behind the How Mine forward.

A fierce battle is expected at Emagumeni with How Mine hoping to continue their 100 percent unbeaten run over their city rivals from whom they collected maximum points in both their league matches last year. Chikurupati who were promoted into the Premiership last season beat Bosso 2-1 in the first leg and were 1-0 victorious in the reverse fixture.
Going into Sunday, Highlanders are at the top of the table with 24 points, two ahead of their weekend opponents who are on position six.

Both sides have been working hard at their training sessions preparing for this encounter, hopeful of getting maximum points as well as city bragging rights.

With equally good squads, pundits believe that Musharu and Sibanda will make the difference on Sunday.

Scoring seems to be eluding Musharu, going four consecutive matches without finding the back of the net with his last goal coming on Week Nine when How Mine drew 2-2 with ZPC Kariba in Harare.

On the last weekend that Musharu scored his last goal, Sibanda got a brace for Bosso in Mutare when they beat Buffaloes 3-1. The Highlanders leading marksman went on to score on Week 10, 11 and last weekend when they staged a dramatic comeback hitting Black Rhinos 1-3. Sibanda failed to score when they lost 0-1 to Dynamos on Week 12.

Both strikers are keeping their feet to the ground and believe teamwork will see their teams through.

“Even when I have failed to score, I have managed to assist the team to get positive results. It’s not about Musharu but team effort. Of course I want to score and help my team but if I create chances for my teammates that’s good,” said Musharu.

How Mine have shown that even with Musharu hitting a bad patch, Benjamin Marere, Wonder Sithole, Timothy January and Edmore “Digo” Muzanenhamo can find the target.

The good thing about the miners is that even their midfielders have come in with handy goals and Highlanders should be wary of them.

Of late, Sibanda has risen from his slumber, re-discovering his yesteryear form that made him one of the most sought-after strikers in the league.

“I am happy that I am scoring important goals for the team and that is what is expected of me as a striker. The other guys have been supportive and that unity of purpose is what is driving Highlanders.

“What is important is to continue fighting for each other, go into the games with the right attitude and make sure that we don’t just lose  concentration.

“I think the game against How Mine will be tough because it’s a derby and derbies are tricky with the better team on the day winning. We just want to make sure that we continue from where we left from last weekend,” said Sibanda.

How Mine go into the game a wounded animal after their 1-2 loss to Triangle and would want to maintain their unbeaten record against Bosso.

Yet, they will have to contend with Sibanda, Gabriel Nyoni, Ozias Zibande, Joel Ngodzo, Welcome Ndiweni and Valentine Ndaba who are some of Highlanders’ potential match-winners.
Fixtures

Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v Caps United (Luveve, 3PM SuperSport), Chiredzi v Harare City (Chishamiso), Chapungu v FC Platinum (Ascot)

Sunday: How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields, 3PM SuperSport); Shabanie Mine v Buffaloes (Maglas); Dynamos v Black Rhinos (National Sports Stadium)

Monday: Bantu Rovers v Triangle United (Luveve)