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Fungai Muderere, [email protected]

HIGHLANDERS will welcome back Godfrey Makaruse and Never Rauzhi who had been sidelined by injury when they take their act to Rufaro Stadium for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) second leg encounter against seemingly rejuvenated CAPS United.

Makaruse and Rauzhi have been in the treatment room for some time and their bouncing back comes at a time midfield enforcer Melikhaya Ncube is available for duty after sitting it out when Bosso lost 2-1 to Herentals College in their previous league encounter at home.

Christened the “Battle of the Cities,” the football menu comes after a week-long Fifa international break that saw the Warriors engage in back-to-back matches against Kenya and Cameroon in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group J matches that were played at Uganda’s Nelson Mandela National Stadium in a space of four days.

Bosso defender, Andrew Mbeba and the fitness trainer Abraham Mbayiwa were part of the Warriors travelling contingent.

Speaking ahead of their away match against Makepekepe, Highlanders head coach, Kelvin Kaindu said the one week break worked to their advantage.

“The one week break because of the Fifa calendar gave us a slight advantage as our players had time to recover. Makaruse (Godfrey) and Never (Rauzhi) are almost getting to the level of full fitness.

“They have been doing full training with other players. We also have Melikhaya (Ncube) who was out due to suspension and is back. This gives us room for team selection because in our last game, I think we just picked everyone who was training because we had 22 players,” said Kaindu.

The Zambian gaffer and his lieutenants will, however, be forced to tamper with their backline due to the unavailability of their new centreback, Arthur Ndlovu who has accumulated three yellow cards.

Also out, will be the gifted duo of Archford Faira, Malvin Sibanda, young Prince Ndlovu and goalkeeper Raphael Pitisi who are all in Bosso’s casualty ward.

In the first leg encounter that was played in April at Barbourfields Stadium, Bosso won 2-0, courtesy of first half goals by Mbeba and McKinnon Mushore.

Makepekepe boast of a number of seasoned players that include captain Godknows Murwira, Rodwell Chinyengetere, William Manondo and ex-Bosso player Bruce Kangwa, among others.

Murwirwa was also with senior national team in Uganda.

In other Week 26 fixtures, Chicken Inn take on Yadah Stars at Luveve Stadium, a day after Arenel Movers’ game against Greenfuel at the same venue.

Pacesetters, Simba Bhora, face a TelOne test at Gweru’s Ascot Stadium.

Chegutu Pirates will fight it out against Thulani “Thuts” Sibanda coached Bulawayo Chiefs at Baobab Stadium.

The match between defending champions, Ngezi Platinum Stars and Dynamos has been postponed.
PSL Week 26 Fixtures

Tomorrow FC Platinum v Manica Diamonds (Mandava Stadium), Arenel Movers v Greenfuel (Luveve Stadium)
Sunday

Caps United v Highlanders (Rufaro), Bikita Minerals v ZPC Kariba (Sakubva), Herentals v Hwange (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Yadah ( Luveve) Chegutu Pirates v Bulawayo Chiefs (Baobab Stadium) TelOne v Simba Bhora (Ascot Stadium).
—@FungaiMuderere