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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter

FOOTBALL enthusiasts should come in their numbers to witness one of the best displays at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday, says Highlanders coach Baltemar Brito.

Bosso host champions-in-waiting FC Platinum in what Brito terms as one of the biggest matches in the country.

It’s a game that the Highlanders coach hopes that FC Platinum will not be cowards and come to Barbourfields to sit back and make the game boring. 

“Fans must come in their numbers to witness a good game. We’re hoping that as champions, FC Platinum will not come and do like a small team but will stick to their usual passing game. If they come here and play their usual game, I know it will be a good display because we also like to play.

“They’re a team that likes to pass the ball around, that likes to play in the opponent’s half and we’re Highlanders and we will do our best to try and give football fans a good game,” said Brito.

The Highlanders coach said their focus is on finishing the season within the top four and they want to consolidate their position.

Save for defender Andrew Tandi, winger Toto Banda and striker Mthabisi “Mabobo” Ncube who have longterm injuries, Brito has all his players available for selection.

FC Platinum will be without suspended utility player Gift Mbweti, but all their players are available for selection.

Norman Mapeza

Mbweti is among five PSL players who will miss the weekend action due to suspension, having picked up three yellow cards. Caps United’s Valentine Musarurwa, Tenax CS FC duo of Edson Gavara and Pascal Shumbaimwe, as well as Herentals’ Brighton Majarira are out of the weekend games.

The absence of Mbweti, who also adds up numbers when FC Platinum attacks, is unlikely to disturb coach Norman Mapeza’s plans as he still has the reliable pair of skipper Gift Bello and Lawrence Mhlanga to marshal the back line.

William Stima might be thrown into the fray, coming in to partner Bello with Mhlanga moved to right back. The other option that Mapeza has is to deploy Blessing Moyo who has been playing as a defensive midfielder at right back, with Rainsome Pavari sitting in front of the central defence.

The battle will be won and lost in the midfield, with Bosso needing to be clinical upfront, with their midfield creating the scoring opportunities while their defence of Peter Muduhwa, Mbongeni Ndlovu, Andrew Mbeba and Godfrey Makaruse keep track of FC Platinum’s offensive players who include Walter Musona Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, box-to-box midfielder Brian Banda who will be facing his former paymasters.

Highlanders will pin hopes on striker Lynoth Chikuhwa who has 10 goals and came off the bench in the 1-1 draw away against Cranborne Bullets to lead their attack alongside Washington Navaya or Stanley Ngala.

Bosso’s central midfield duo of Nqobizitha Masuku and Darlington Mukuli are likely to be trusted to deal with Banda, Pavari and Juan Mutudza. – @ZililoR.