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Peter Phiri Sports Correspondent
HIGHLANDERS’ crunch Premier Soccer League match against Chicken Inn at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow is likely to present head coach Kelvin Kaindu with a team selection poser. In a post match interview after Bosso beat Black Rhinos in a Commander Zimbabwe National Army Charities match on Sunday, Kaindu said tomorrow’s tie will give him  a headache in coming up with his first eleven to face Chicken Inn.
He said some fringe players had shone like a beacon in Highlanders colours against Black Rhinos and are likely to start against Chicken Inn tomorrow.

Players like Ozias Zibande, Bobby Nkomo, Mgcini Sibanda, Lucky Nyoni and Douglas Sibanda have not been featuring in the first team but played well on Sunday leaving Kaindu with many options at his disposal.

Zibande justified his inclusion by scoring the all-important goal that condemned the army side to their second defeat at the hands of Highlanders this season.

‘‘Some of the new players who have been given the chance to play did very well. Actually some of them might get the chance to play against Chicken Inn on Wednesday (tomorrow). Now coming up with the team to face Chicken Inn will be very difficult because I have to consider some of these players. These players played beyond my expectations and it is good for the club. Honestly it will not be easy to select the team to face Chicken Inn,’’ said Kaindu.

Those missing from the Highlanders starting line up were goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya, captain Innocent Mapuranga, chief striker Njabulo ‘‘Tshiki’’ Ncube, Masimba Mambare, midfield work horse Mthulisi Maphosa, Milton Ncube and Hillary Madzivanyika.

Ashford Katsande was in goal for Bosso while Eric Mudzingwa wore the captain’s arm band and Dumisani Ndlovu was outstanding in defence as usual.

Peter ‘‘Rio’’ Moyo was pulling the strings in the middle of the park before he was pulled out for Graham Ncube in the second half.

Moyo was supported by former Gwanda Ramblers player Douglas Sibanda, Mgcini, Zibande and Bruce Tshuma who were spreading some nice passes.

Nkomo who came in for Mgcini and also played well but the Highlanders goalkeeper Katsande was rarely threatened by the Black Rhinos strikers who seemed to have left their shooting boots at home.

Credit also goes to Black Rhinos coach Arthur Tutani who replaced Nesbert Saruchera for moulding a team that plays enterprising football despite lacking the killer instinct up front.

Tutani also fielded some new players saying he is building a future Black Rhinos squad that could survive relegation.

But the army side needs to dig deep into their arsenal if they entertain any ideas of surviving in the Premier Soccer League.

Black Rhinos took control of the game during the second half playing with a sense of purpose but poor finishing saw them failing to convert the numerous chances that came their way.

The chief culprits were Wonder Kapinda, Marshal Mudewe, Lot Chiwunga and Brighton Mugoni who seemed clueless when approaching the goal area.

Tutani however praised his team for playing some good football and matching Bosso man for man.

‘‘Most of these players are young since I am building a future Black Rhinos team which I believe will survive relegation. I am happy with the overall performance of the team although poor finishing cost us the game,’’ said Tutani after the match.

Black Rhinos’ Brian Muzondiwa who came in for Marshal Mudewe made an impact with his darting runs and close ball control.

Muzondiwa troubled the Bosso defence with his pace and dribbling and was outstanding since his introduction and if he keeps his cool he is likely to be a bright prospect for both Black Rhinos and Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, Kaindu has said tomorrow’s match against Chicken Inn will present his charges with a stern test because their opponents have vastly improved.

‘‘The game on Wednesday is going to be very difficult for my boys because Chicken Inn are a good side with equally good players. Besides it is a derby which makes it unpredictable. We have played them before and they are quite a good team which is improving,’’ said Kaindu.

He however said he is looking forward to a good game tomorrow and is urging the Bosso fans to come in large numbers to cheer the team on.

Bosso top the log standings with 29 points from 13 games with rivals Dynamos second with 25 points.

The Premier Soccer League resumes tomorrow after a two-week break which saw the national team playing in the World Cup qualifiers.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: Black Mambas v Shabanie Mine (Morris Depot), Highlanders v Chicken Inn (Barbourfields), Buffaloes v Dynamos (Sakubva), Black Rhinos v Tripple B (Rimuka), Caps United v Hwange (National Sports Stadium), Motor Action v FC Platinum (Motor Action)

Thursday

How Mine v Triangle (Luveve), Harare City v Monomotapa (Rufaro)