Knox Mutizwa
Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter—
HIGHLANDERS will be without inform striker Prince Dube when they play bruised Harare City tomorrow at Barbourfields Stadium. Dube is part of the national Under-20 side that takes on Cameroon in a 2017 Africa Under-20 Championships qualifier tomorrow in Harare. The Bosso striker who has banged three goals in six games missed the Young Warriors’ preliminary round qualifiers against Botswana as he was sorting out his passport. Besides the three goals, Dube has also had three assists.
His unavailability means that Bosso’s attacking options will be pinned on Knox Mutizwa and veteran Ralph Matema who is coming from an injury. Matema was a second half substitute in the 4-1 annihilation of league debutants Ngezi Platinum last Saturday. Highlanders’ strikers Dube and Mutizwa have contributed eight out of Highlanders’ 12 goals.
Bosso are the league’s best scorers and Matema is expected to fill the void left by Dube with ease. “Ralph is 90 to 95 percent fit and is available while Prince is with the national team. Bruce Kangwa is subject to a late fitness test,” said coach Erol Akbay. Highlanders who are on second position on the log, three points behind leaders FC Platinum who have amassed 16 points, have every reason to fight for a win.
Unlike last season when results eluded them, Highlanders have greatly improved. At this stage last season under Bongani Mafu, they had accumulated 10 points from three wins, a draw and two defeats. This time around their 13 points are from four wins, a draw and a defeat.
They now have 12 goals compared to only three at the same stage last season.
With Kangwa a doubtful starter, Highlanders have Adrian Silla, King Nadolo and Godfrey Makaruse vying for a place on the left side of the midfield while Simon Munawa and Erick Mudzingwa are set for the central midfield.
Felix Chindungwe, Tendai Ndlovu, impressive rightback Benson Phiri and leftback Honest Moyo will complete the backline while Ariel Sibanda will guard the Highlanders goal. Sibanda has been in good form this season and it will not come as a surprise if Warriors gaffer Callisto Pasuwa calls him up for both the Cosafa and Nations Cup squads.
Harare City who had an early season’s start because of their participation at the Caf Confederations Cup have not been so lucky on the domestic scene. They are on position seven, tied on seven points with five other clubs which are defending champions Chicken Inn on position eight, Bulawayo City, Tsholotsho, Ngezi Platinum and Hwange.
The club which is bankrolled by the capital’s municipality, are aware that a defeat at Barbourfields Stadium will see them sliding down the table. City’s assistant coach Mkhuphali Masuku said they’re ready for Highlanders. “When we prepare we always want a win and we’ve done everything possible to get a positive result in Bulawayo,” said Masuku.
Harare City have a strong squad and will bank on seasoned goalkeepers Tafadzwa Dube and Maxwell Nyamupanendengu, defenders Themba Ndhlovu and Blessing Moyo.
On the offensive side, they have Francisco Zekumbawire, Martin Vengesayi, Honey Chimutimunzeve, William Manondo and Raphael Manuvire. In matches lined up for today, FC Platinum can go six points clear of Highlanders if they win their home game against table anchors Border Strikers.
Bosso may find themselves sitting on position three in the event that Caps United who are tied on 13 points with them win or draw against ZPC Kariba. Should ZPC Kariba who have 11 points win, they will move from position five to second.
In Bulawayo, former champions Dynamos take on Tsholotsho FC at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon on a mission likely to be termed “restore pride” following their pathetic start this season.
Dynamos are second from the bottom but a victory this afternoon can lift them to mid-table. Tsholotsho also don’t want to slip and as such fans are guaranteed an exciting match. The other Bulawayo based clubs Bulawayo City, Chicken Inn and How Mine are on the road.
City take on triangle while Chicken Inn face Mutare City Rovers at Sakubva Stadium. Gold miners, who ended Caps United’s unbeaten run last Saturday visit Hwange at the Colliery.
Fixtures
Today: FC Platinum v Border Strikers (Mandava), Tsholotsho FC v Dynamos (Barbourfields), Chapungu v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Ascot), Caps United v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro)
Tomorrow: Mutare City Rovers v Chicken Inn (Sakubva), Triangle United v Bulawayo City (Gibbo), Hwange v How Mine (Colliery), Highlanders v Harare City (Barbourfields)