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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
HOW Mine FC are eager to claim Highlanders FC’s scalp when they face off in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final at Hartsfield Stadium tomorrow.
The gold miners are aware of the danger that Bosso pose since they go into the match coming from a horrendous outing to Dynamos who clobbered them 1-4 in the TM Pick n Pay Challenge Cup last Saturday.

In an interview yesterday, How Mine’s coach Luke Masomere described Highlanders as “sleeping giants” who are hard-pressed for a win.

“Playing Highlanders has never been easy. They have been going through a bad spell and I believe they are leaving no stone unturned as they seek better fortunes. We are very much aware that they are sleeping giants who we can’t compare to us on any day because they are capable of winning convincingly even away from home. They are just looking for an opportunity to wake up and we have done everything to avoid being their victims.

“We are not under any pressure to win this tournament as we are preparing to build for next season but that doesn’t mean we won’t fight. We go there to build on a positive note without putting ourselves under strain. Actually pressure is on them than us,” Masomere said.
Tomorrow’s clash is Masomere’s first against Bosso since assuming How Mine’s hot seat last month.

The nomadic gaffer suspects that there were plans to disturb their preparations after his side was denied access to train at the match venue yesterday.

“Everything has gone well throughout the week save for today when we had a minor setback as we were denied an opportunity to get the feel of Hartsfield turf. Highlanders trained inside the main stadium on Wednesday and we had our session in the outside ground hoping to get the feel of the pitch today. If locking us out of the stadium was an issue of mind games, then some people are confused somehow as this is not football at all.

We are brothers, live in the same community with the goal of entertaining soccer lovers,” he said.

How Mine have been boosted by the return of Menard Mupera from an injury he sustained during their 1-2 defeat to Highlanders in July.

The gold miners will be without the injured trio of attacking midfielder Timothy January, goalkeeper Donovan Bernard and defender Nyasha Mukumbi.

Even without the injured trio, Masomere has enough cover with Ephraim Mazarura and Nonjabulo Dube competing for the number one spot, with Gilbert Banda and George Magariro proving cover in central defence.

Masomere is also delighted to have ex-Ecco City winger Mandla Sibanda for the encounter who has secured his reverse international clearance.

“I think the availability of Mandla (Sibanda) gives me a lot of dimension in terms of my attacking options as we anticipate a good game. Hopefully the referees won’t spoil the game with questionable officiating and may the best team of the day win,” said Masomere.

Highlanders are looking forward to recover from their last weekend’s defeat to DeMbare with its coach Kelvin Kaindu hopeful for a positive result.
“Response at training has been positive and the guys were upset after that loss. We cannot change the past but we can influence what is ahead of us.

We will compete as we do for a positive result but it won’t be easy as cup games especially if it is a derby are tricky,” said Kaindu.

Bosso will be without suspended striker Njabulo Ncube leaving Charles Sibanda, Gabriel Nyoni, Simba Sithole, Mgcini Sibanda, Kudzanai Machazane and Ozias Zibande competing for places to lead Highlanders’ attack.

New captain Ariel Sibanda who has had an impressive season will be hoping to start his reign on a bright note.

Meanwhile, a double header is on the cards today at Zvishavane’s Mandava Stadium where relegation bound Chiredzi and Harare City will clash in the first game at 1PM with FC Platinum taking on Caps United two hours later.

Caps United will be out for revenge after being humiliated by the platinum miners last Saturday in the ZNA Charity Cup final. The Green Machine were hit by a half a dozen by FC Platinum.

On paper Caps United do not seem to have the pedigree to stop the platinum miners.

Obrey Chirwa, Mitchelle Katsvairo, Daniel Veremu, Kevin Moyo and Qadr Amin will be the players FC Platinum will count on while Dominic Chungwa carries Caps hopes in attack.

Tafadzwa Dube is still reliable in between the goalsposts.
Black Rhinos and Triangle face off in the last Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final on Monday at Ascot Stadium.