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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
HARARE City FC have threatened to pile more misery on Highlanders FC when the two sides clash in the semi-final of the Chibuku Super Cup at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow.
The Sunshine Boys have risen from their slumber in the second half of the season winning six of their 10 league games, drawing once and losing thrice.

One of the victories was a 1-0 win over Highlanders in a match played at Rufaro.
Tomorrow, they face a Highlanders side hit by injuries, that have ruled out striker Gabriel Nyoni who pulled a hamstring on national duty in Swaziland, Joel Ngodzo who picked up a knee injury during Highlanders’ 0-4 drubbing by Caps United as well as Njabulo Ncube and Webster Chingodza.

Harare City’s coach Masimba Dinyero, who has a full strength squad, made a bold statement of intent saying, “We can’t afford to lose on Sunday.”

Harare City booked their last four slot following their 2-1 win over Division One bound Chiredzi.
It remains to be seen whether Harare City will be able to live true to their word, and with Highlanders coming from a morale sapping 4-0 defeat to Caps United in the capital last week, the Dinyero-coached side go into the game as favourites.

The former Dynamos coach acknowledges that their clash with Bosso will not be an easy walk in the park.
“This is a cup game and since it’s more of a money game, I’ve told the boys that they should forget about the last time we met Highlanders and concentrate on the job at hand. It’s a different ball game altogether, a match that we can’t afford to lose and as such they’ll come at us seeking redemption but we’re up for the mission,” Dinyero said.

The Sunshine Boys will be without suspended veteran defensive midfielder James Jam and his absence might be a blessing in disguise for Tendai Ngulube, who has been playing second fiddle to the former.

Striker Francisco Zvikumbawire, speed merchant Martin Vengesai and Osborne Mukuradare are expected to keep Highlanders’ defence busy.

Veteran David Kutyauripo will lead from the back, providing cover for ex-national team fringe goalkeeper, Maxwell Nyamupangedengu, who seems to have rediscovered his form.

The Bulawayo giants, who knocked out How Mine in the quarter-finals of the $500,000 sponsored tournament, clobbering their city rivals 3-1, are in dire need of a victory to regain their supporters’ confidence.

With their championship hopes having faded away, Bosso need to beat Harare City to make sure that they get into the final and possibly lift the cup, to avoid finishing the season empty handed.

On Tuesday, Highlanders engaged veteran coach Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu as a stopgap measure ,in their quest to keep their Chibuku Super Cup and the Mbada Diamonds Cup hopes alive.

Ndumiso Gumede, Highlanders’ chief executive officer, posed a challenge to the players, with the view of the season coming to an end and some contracts running out.

“If they’re professionals (players), they must know that their performances have a determination on whether the sponsorship stays or we lose it. Their performances at this stage also have a bearing on where they’ll be next season,” Gumede said.

Hopes are high for captain Ariel Sibanda to reclaim his goalkeeper’s starting position, having been surprisingly left on the bench during the horrendous 0-4 defeat to Caps United.

With the arrival of Zulu, expectations are that with caretaker coach Mark Mathe they will field players in their rightful positions.
Felix Chindungwe will return to anchorman’s position following a shock switch with Innocent Mapuranga last Sunday, with Erick Mudzingwa playing as a right back ,while Mapuranga will partner Dumisani Ndlovu in central defence.

In the absence of Nyoni, Bosso have Charles Sibanda, Simba Sithole, Ozias Zibande and Kudzi Machazane who is coming from injury, to lead their strike force.

There is stiff competition for places in midfield, which has Welcome Ndiweni, Rahman Kutsanzira, Valentine Ndaba, Mthulisi Maphosa, Pasca Manhanga and Tapiwa Dephistara all vying for starting berths.

“The hungrier team on the day will win. Being a cup game, players are motivated by the monetary gains. We were humiliated last week and we’ve said to the guys, let’s rise from the slumber and avoid mistakes we made against Caps United,” said Mathe.

He declined to blame his defence for their humiliating defeat to Caps United.
“I won’t vilify any player for our defeat as we concede as a unit.”

Meanwhile, FC Platinum coach ,Norman Mapeza is targeting his second final having led his side to a 6-0 destruction of Caps United in the ZNA Commander’s Charities Cup.

Today FC Platinum take on Black Rhinos.
“It’s every coach and player’s dream to make it to the final and win the cup. That’s what we’re targeting and our preparations have been good so far,” said Mapeza.

He has lots of talent at his disposal which includes, captain Thabani Kamusoko, the Young Warriors duo of Wisdom Mutasa and Kevin Moyo, speed merchant Obrey Chirwa, Raphael Muduviwa, utility player Aaron Katebe, Michelle Katsvairo and goalkeeper Petros Mhari.

Black Rhinos are not intimidated by FC Platinum’s talented squad with coach, Jostein Mathuthu saying: “We’re expecting to win the game. We also have young talented players in our side, just like them. So, it’s anyone’s game but we’re going there to win it.”

Brian Muzondiwa, who was part of the Young Warriors squad that beat Swaziland 2-0 during the week, Lot Chiunga, Douglas Mbewe and Samuel Mafukidze are some of Black Rhinos’ key players.

Winners of the returning cup, whose last champions were the now defunct Zimbabwe Saints in 1988, will walk away with $75,000 with losing finalists getting $50,000.

The two teams that will bow out over the weekend will receive $25,000 each.
Fixtures
Today: FC Platinum v Black Rhinos (Rufaro, 3PM SuperSport)
Tomorrow: Highlanders v Harare City (Rufaro, 3PM SuperSport).