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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS have received a huge boost ahead of their game with Hwange at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow after chief striker Thomas Chidewu trained with the rest of the team yesterday. In another notable development, utility player and vice captain Erick “Tsiba” Mudzingwa could be thrown alongside Chidewu upfront.

Mudzingwa, who has played in every defensive position at Highlanders, played as a striker for the Bosso juniors and with his gangly stature, could prove a handful for defenders.

“I know Mudzingwa is our utility player and yes, he’s being considered for the attack position but I’m happy Chidewu and Simba Sithole trained with the rest of the players today,” said Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu.

The ginger haired 19-year-old Chidewu, who was plucked from Prince Edward High School in Harare, is yet to open his league account for Highlanders after his solitary goal dumped How Mine out of the Zimbabwe National Army Commanders’ Shield last month.

Highlanders’ dressing room resembles a hospital casualty ward with six players on the treatment table.

Knox Mutizwa is still recuperating from horror burns sustained after the How Mine game while Ozias Zibande, Rahman Kutsanzira, King Nadolo, Obadiah Tarumbwa as well as young defender Teenage Hadebe are all out injured.

With the season still in its infancy, Bosso’s injuries could be worrisome with some experts attributing them to the state of their training pitch.

Mafu concurs: “We trained on hard surfaces like the Hartsfield outside grounds and I believe that’s the major contributing factor,” he said.

With Bosso players seemingly injury-prone, there is a need for manager Netsai Super Moyo to be hard on indisciplined players who earn themselves unnecessary cautions during games.

Last week, left back Honest Moyo was involved in an off the ball incident after he punched Tsholotsho striker Simbarashe Gorogodyo and could easily have been red-carded had he been spotted by the match officials.

Earlier in the second half seasoned player Bruce Kangwa, who missed a slot on Soccer Stars calendar in 2013 after picking up six yellow cards, also escaped caution after he kicked the ball long after the referee had blown for offside.

Meanwhile, Mafu and Hwange coach Nation Dube are both confident of a good show tomorrow.

Mafu said they would be out for their second full set of points in as many weeks.

“Like we said we are fully focused and our approach is just to beat Hwange,” he said.

While Mafu is a troubled soul when it comes to the strikeforce, his choice in defence and midfield seems to be wide despite Hadebe’s injury.

Captain Felix Chindungwe will keep his place in central defence with the imposing Douglas Sibanda set to partner him. Moyo and Webster Chingodzo will keep their left and right back positions while Mthulisi Maphosa will double anchor with hardman Nqobizitha Masuku in midfield. Kangwa and Gabriel Nyoni will operate from the wings.

Dube, yet to celebrate a win in 180 minutes of league football so far, said they would play their normal game and live the rest to fate.

Hwange were beaten 5-2 by Triangle on Week One before letting slip a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 with ZPC Kariba at the Colliery Stadium last weekend.

“That draw taught us a lesson that football is played over 90 minutes and it’s never over until the referee says so,” said Dube.

He added that they are not under pressure at all to win, even though that was their key result area tomorrow.

“It’s not a must win for us, we don’t want to put ourselves under pressure because if we do that we’ll be prone to making mistakes but I want to emphasise that we play every game to win,” he said.

Veteran defenders David Boriwondo and skipper Gerald Ndlovu will have to stand fort in central defence, the same as right back Tonisani Sibelo who will have to contend with Bosso’s speed merchant Nyoni. Sibelo has some challenges when it comes to speed.

The former Hwange High School pupil though is one of the deadliest set piece executioners in the league and Highlanders had better avoid fouls within firing range.

Highlanders and Hwange duels in figures

Head to head since 2012

Saturday, May 19, 2012
Highlanders     1-0     Hwange

Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Hwange     0-1     Highlanders

Sunday,June 2, 2013
Hwange     0-1     Highlanders

Sunday, July 7, 2013
Highlanders     1-0     Hwange

Sunday, April 27, 2014
Highlanders     1-1     Hwange

Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Hwange     3-1     Highlanders

Fixtures:

Week Three
Today: How Mine v Caps United (Luveve Stadium) SS9

Tomorrow: Whawha v Harare City (Ascot Stadium), Chicken Inn  v Tsholotsho  (Luveve Stadium), ZPC Kariba  v Buffaloes  (Gwanzura Stadium), Highlanders  v Hwange (Barbourfields Stadium, SS9), Dynamos  v Dongo Sawmills (National Sports Stadium), Triangle United v Chapungu (Gibbo Stadium)

Week Four
Sunday: Flame Lily v How Mine (Gwanzura Stadium, SS9), Buffaloes v Highlanders (Vengere/ Sakubva Stadium)

Monday: Dongo Sawmill v Triangle United (Vengere Stadium), Chicken Inn v Whawha (Luveve Stadium),  Caps United v Dynamos (National Sports Stadium ,SS9), Tsholotsho v Hwange (White City Stadium), Chapungu v ZPC Kariba (Ascot Stadium),

Wednesday: FC Platinum v Flame Lily (Mandava Stadium)