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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Chiefs are fretting over the availability of two key players for tomorrow’s crunch Castle Lager Premier Soccer League derby against Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium.

Chiefs, staring relegation, are hoping that midfielder Gracious Muleya and central defender Lee Matizirofa will shrug off injuries and pass today’s fitness tests.

Muleya scored the only goal that gave Chiefs maximum points when they beat Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium in the first leg.

Chiefs head into tomorrow’s game knowing that Nichrut can spring a shocker and survive should they win their last two games while they lose to Highlanders and ZPC Kariba. Nichrut play Triangle United at Gibbo Stadium tomorrow and Dynamos in their last match of the season.

Thulani Sibanda, Chiefs’ architect, expressed his worry on the slim chances of having Muleya and Matizirofa available for the derby.

“Our wish was to have a clean bill of health heading into the Highlanders game because it is going to be a tough game. Tough in the sense that we desperately need points to survive relegation and they have openly said they are coming for revenge. Unfortunately, our central defender Lee picked an injury in our 0-2 away loss to Ngezi Platinum Stars and our captain Gracious took a massive knock on his knee during the week,” said Sibanda.

Matizirofa, signed from Southern Region Division One Soccer League side Zim Leopards during the midseason transfer window as a replacement for Polite Moyo who moved to Ngezi, has been a marvel for Chiefs at the heart of defence.

Should Matizirofa fail the late fitness test, former National Under-20 defender Andrew Tandi will be thrown into the fray to partner Sikhumbulani Majekesa Dube at central defence.

They also have league Rookie of the Year contender Shadreck “Gabry” Nyahwa, a former Bantu Rovers player who can play as a centre back, left back or defensive midfielder.

In the event that Muleya is ruled out of the tie, the midfield will be made up of Takunda Muzuva, Perfect Chikwende, Arthur Musiiwa and Moses Majika.

Goalkeeper David Bizabani, striker Stanley Ngala and Farau Matare are some of the players expected to carry the day for Chiefs.

Meanwhile, Highlanders’ only injured player is midfielder Ben Musaka.

Bosso have warned Chiefs that they will show no mercy for their relegation threatened side as they seek to avoid back-to-back defeats.

Highlanders head into tomorrow’s clash bubbling with confidence following their 2-0 home win against Harare City at the same venue in their last PSL game.

PSL Matchday 33 Fixtures
Tomorrow: FC Platinum v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Mandava), Herentals v Chicken Inn (National Sports Stadium), Bulawayo City v Caps United (Barbourfields), Harare City v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro)

Sunday: Bulawayo Chiefs v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Mutare City (Rufaro), Triangle United v Nichrut (Gibbo), Black Rhinos v Shabanie Mine (National Sports Stadium), Chapungu v Yadah (Ascot)

Table

P W D L F A GD Pts
FC Platinum 32 23 5 4 51 14 37 74
Ngezi Platinum 32 20 5 7 50 22 28 65
Chicken Inn 32 15 10 7 41 25 16 55
Triangle United 32 16 4 12 38 30 8 52
Caps United 32 12 11 9 33 26 7 47
Highlanders 32 13 8 11 31 27 4 47
Herentals 32 12 11 9 24 24 0 47
Harare City 32 10 16 6 27 25 2 46
**ZPC Kariba 32 12 11 9 28 26 2 44
Black Rhinos 32 10 13 9 36 30 6 43
Dynamos 32 10 11 11 26 32 -6 41
Yadah FC 32 9 12 11 32 39 -7 39
Bulawayo Chiefs 32 9 11 12 27 32 -5 38
Chapungu 32 9 10 13 27 34 -7 37
Nichrut 32 8 9 15 28 36 -8 33
Bulawayo City 32 7 5 20 27 42 -15 26
Mutare City 32 5 7 20 22 50 -28 22
Shabanie Mine 32 2 14 16 24 56 -31 19

**Three points deducted for use of a suspended player — @ZililoR