Erol Akbay
Sikhumbuzo Moyo in Bulawayo and Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
HIGHLANDERS want to overcome FC Platinum within regulation time when they meet in the semi-final of the Independence Cup at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
The Bulawayo giants said while they took the precaution of practising penalty kicks in the event that the game ends in a stalemate, their mission was to “destroy FC Platinum in 90 minutes” and are confident of victory.
Speaking at their weekly Thursday press conference yesterday, head coach Erol Akbay said it does not matter to him that their opponents beat them 1-2 in the league last Sunday.
“My boys played well despite the loss. I was happy with the result and I can assure you that we’re improving every day. We’re a very strong team for anyone facing us. This is why we need a result within 90 minutes. We must finish them within that time,” said Akbay.
Last Sunday’s league match lived up to its billing, with both teams giving all they could, although it was FC Platinum who capitalised on costly blunders by the home side.
FC Platinum’s central defence of Gift Bello and Kelvin Moyo was up to the task, but on some occasions found it hard to contain 18-year-old Prince Dube.
“Prince played well; he’s a young striker still eager to learn and it’s my duty to make sure he learns, but we aren’t putting pressure on him. He played well in his first full competitive match. Highlanders has a future top striker in him,” said Akbay.
Bosso will be without veteran striker Ralph Matema, who is still nursing an injury that saw him missing the 1-2 loss last Sunday.
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza is however confident of a double over Highlanders inside a week following their league match win.
“We want to reach the final and are going to Bulawayo seeking a positive result,” said Mapeza.
“We’re ready for the tournament. We’re going to play some football and get a result, which is the most important thing to us. All the clubs always try to finish in the top four, to be involved in the tournament. It’s not a major tournament and I’m going to give some game time to my players that haven’t been involved in the league.
“I, however, don’t have fringe players in my team because they’re registered and must play football. I’m not worried much, but had it been the Chibuku Cup, I would have fielded my strongest squad because I know where that cup will take us to at the end of the day,” he said.
Mapeza said if they beat Highlanders, they would head to Harare and probably sleep in Kadoma before proceeding on Sunday morning to prepare for the final that will be played at the National Sports Stadium.
He does not have injury worries for his third meeting with Bosso this year. Highlanders won the ZNA Charities Shield semi-final 4-3 on penalties before the Zvishavane side collected maximum points in the league.
Hard-running Tatenda Mudehwe, Tarisai Rukanda and Nigel Papias are likely to form the striking partnership, while Wellington Kamudyariwa, Simon Shoko and Gerald Takwara will be deployed in midfield and Francis Tizayi in goal. The towering Last Sithole, Raymond Sibanda, and Raphael Muduviwa will complete the backline.