Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. (News Of The South) – The Bulawayo giants Highlanders fc will flock to Barbourfields stadium today this afternoon in search for a victory that will keep them within the leading pack on the summit of the log standing.
BY MILTON MASHASHA in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Highlanders fc face a stubborn Mutare City fc at Barbourfields stadium in a tricky encounter which can go either way.Mutare City are under pressure to move away from the relegation zone whilst the Bulawayo giants are under immense pressure to collect maximum points to remain in contention with the leading pack.Besides collecting maximum points,Highlanders fc are also in search for goals that had eluded them in the past few matches.
Since the departure of the reigning golden boot winner Knox Mutizwa to the South African ABSA premier soccer league,super diski and Bruce Kangwa respectively who is currently on trials in Tanzania.Bruce Kangwa is on a two weeks trial stinct with Azam,one of the top clubs in Tanzania.Kangwa formed a deadly partnership with Knox Mutizwa and young Prince Dube but since the departure of the duo,Highlanders fc has been in a dry spell in terms of goals,goals are not coming.
In the first leg of the first half of the season Highlanders drew (0-0) nil all with Mutare City away at Sakubva Stadium. Highlanders fc are expecting to turn the tables in their favour at their favourite hunting ground,Emagumeni(Barbourfields Stadium).
Highlanders fc who lost their previous away match on Sunday against on fire Caps United who outclassed the Bulawayo giants,Caps scored through their bustling striker Dominic Chungwa who was released by Dynamos fc together with Simba Nhivi after failing to live up to Dembare’s expectations.
Highlanders fc were sent packing in Harare and were relegated into the the 3rd position on the log standing,Bosso was dislodged from the summit by FC Platinum after they failed to beat Triangle fc in a rescheduled game in hand match.
The Dutch coach Erol Akbay the Highlanders fc gaffer has to dig deeper and strategize in order to come out with a favourable result.Akbay had to make numerous changes against Caps United on Sunday due to injuries in his squad.He is likely to miss some of his key players unless some of them pass a late fitness.
Some of the players who are nursing injuries include Honest Moyo,Benson Phiri,Adrian Silla,King Nadolo and Prince Dube.Erol Akbay is likely to play Julius Daudi or Bukhosi Ncube on the left back position and Tendai Ngulube on the right back whilst the skipper Felix Chidungwe might partner Peter Muduhwa or Tendai Ndlovu in the heart of the defence whereas the hard tackling gangly Eric Mudzingwa might be given the holding midfield position ahead of Douglous Sibanda.
In the midfield,Rahman Kutsanzira,Gabriel Nyoni,Godfrey Makaruse and Brian Banda will fight for the starting eleven in the middle of the park whereas the veteran striker Ralph “Banolila” Matema,returnee Nhlanhla Ndlovu and Kasimero Chimbadzwa will fight for the strike force position.
Mutare City will be no push overs regardless that they are playing away from their home ground.They have got seasoned players in their books like Steven “Dealer”Sibanda who can be a menance to any defence on a good day.They will try by almeans to give a deaf ear to the multitudes of Bosso fans that will be rallying behind their team.Mutare City will aim to add misery to Erol Akbay’s troops by beating them on their home ground.
Moreover if they lose to Highlanders they will remain in the muddy waters of relegation zone which might prove difficult for them to climb up the ladder for safety.For Highlanders too,they need an outright win to maintain their position on the log standing.
A win for Highlanders fc will see them close the gap between them and log leaders FC Platinum who failed to utilize their home advantage and were held by visiting Hwange in a (1-1) one all stalemate,whilst Caps United moved up closer reducing the arrears to (2) two points after despatching a determined Tsholotsho fc by (1-0) one goal to nil.That man again (Dominic Chungwa) who scored against Highlanders on Sunday was at it again,scoring the solitary strike that gave them maximum points.
Can Highlanders fc defy all odds, remember how to score and bring back happy moments which saw them score 21 goals in the first half of the season. Can Mutare City spoil the day for Highlanders,spring a surprise and add misery to the Bulawayo giants after a narrow defeat by the Green machine.
A glance on results of ZPSL matches played yesterday :
Harare City 2-0 ZPC Kariba
Ngezi Platinum 2-1 Chicken inn
Tsholotsho fc 0-1 Caps United
Border Strikers 0-1 Bulawayo City
Chapungu fc 1-0 Triangle fc
FC Platinum 1-1 Hwange fc
Fixtures:Today (August 4)
Highlanders fc v Mutare City(BF)
Dynamos fc v Howmine FC (Rufaro)
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