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Innocent Kurira, [email protected]

HIGHLANDERS coach Kelvin Kaindu hopes his team will maintain their winning momentum in the upcoming matches.

The Bulawayo giants have won two of their last encounters by identical 2-0 margins against Dynamos and Bulawayo Chiefs. They face Simba

Bhora at Wadzanayi Stadium tomorrow. In the first half of the Castle Lager Premiership, Simba Bhora beat Highlanders 1-0 at Barbourfields Stadium.

Ahead of the clash, Kaindu predicts a highly tactical encounter.

“We are traveling to Shamva to play Simba. I think they are one of the best-assembled teams. We just want to win consistently. It’s going to be highly tactical. Our victory over Chiefs has managed to help us catch up with the teams that are at the top. We managed to have a slight advantage in terms of narrowing the gap at the top,” said Kaindu.

Highlanders are fifth on the table with 32 points while Simba Bhora are in third place with 34 points. Leaders FC Platinum are on 39 points.

The Shamva-based side, who are making a second appearance in the topflight league, at the beginning of the season, brought in the best players on the land and declared their intention to win the league title.

This is not a new trend in local football as now-defunct teams that include Sporting Lions, Buymore and Shooting Stars have come up with a similar approach, however, to no avail.

Some of the players that joined Simba Bhora this season include the trio of Mthokozisi Msebe, Malvin Mkolo and Billy Veremu who were with Bulawayo Chiefs.

Former Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona and Perfect Chikwende also joined the Shamva-based outfit from FC Platinum.

They have in their ranks, former Warriors goalkeeper Talbert Shumba and former Dynamos midfielder Junior Makunike.

Former Dynamos goalkeeper Taimon Mvula and Wilson Mensah formerly of Triangle, are also at Simba Bhora alongside Gift Saunyama, ex-Black Rhinos, and Harrison Musina from Eastern Region Division One side Hunters.

In other mid-week clashes, Bikita Minerals will play host to Caps United at Sakubva Stadium while defending champions Ngezi Platinum will entertain ZPC Kariba at Baobab tomorrow.

One of the big fixtures lined up will be a clash between log leaders FC Platinum and Chicken Inn which is scheduled for Luveve Stadium on Thursday.

It is a game with the ingredients of a thriller. Chicken Inn would like to prove that their win over Arenel was no fluke and they are finally finding their feet after an indifferent start to the season.