Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
CONFIDENT Highlanders leave Bulawayo this morning headed for Harare without their star defender and vice captain Erick “Tsiba” Mudzingwa who is ill. Amahlolanyama take on Caps United at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow afternoon as head coach Amin Soma-Phiri continues with his rescue mission for the fallen Bulawayo giants who sit in an uncomfortable 10th position on the table.
Bosso, however, have been boosted by the return of the trio of defender Teenage Hadebe, midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku and leading gunman Knox Mutizwa who were with the Young Warriors in Congo for the African Games. There is also a huge chance that Soma-Phiri could throw in club returnee Ralph “Banolila” Matema although his match fitness levels might betray him.
Matema was part of the Highlanders team that handed a then trailblazing Caps United their only defeat of the season in 2004 when Tapuwa Kapini scored a wonder goal that beat Witness Munkuli, in goal for Makepekepe. “Tsiba is definitely out of the game, he has a stomach problem that started early in this week and I thought he will recover but he has not,” said Soma-Phiri.
The former Highlanders manager said he was also assessing Douglas Sibanda, Rahman Gumbo and King Nadolo but was happy with the arrival of the Young Warriors trio, particularly Mutizwa. “Knox will be a big boost for us because he is in good form,” said Soma-Phiri.
He said preparations for the match went on well and everyone was focused ahead of the clash set to be broadcast live on Supersport 9. Amahlolanyama collected maximum points in their last league match against lowly Flame Lily, who they beat 1-0 through a goal by often underrated midfielder Simon Munawa.
No major changes are expected from the team that played in the game with Ariel Sibanda set to guard the goal posts, Bruce Kangwa on the left back and young Peter Muduhwa on the right back. Kangwa needs to keep an eagle’s eye on Caps United’s overlapping defender Stephen Makatuka who caused all sorts of problems in the reverse fixture at Barbourfields.
Felix Chindungwe, in the absence of Mudzingwa will be partnered by Hadebe in central defence with midfield general Mthulisi Maphosa keeping his place just infront of the central defence. The technical team could be spoilt for choice upfront as all the strikers Obadiah Tarumbwa, Gabriel Nyoni, Mutizwa and Matema are available for selection. Soma-Phiri is likely to drop Nyoni for Mutizwa.
The Highlanders defence will be wary of bustling Hwange born striker Dominic Chungwa. Makepekepe also have tried and tested soldiers in skipper Moses Muchenje and Hardlife Zvirekwi. Newly appointed coach Lloyd Chitembwe told our Harare bureau that they were looking for a positive result.
“We expect to do well, our target is to try and do well in this fixture and we are looking forward to the game,” said Chitembwe. At Luveve Stadium this afternoon a fuming Tsholotsho welcome an equally wounded FC Platinum in a battle for different objectives. Iziqholo zeZhwane, still feeling hard done by the Bulawayo City Council who shifted them from their usual base White City Stadium to Luveve due to maintenance work, are on a survival mission while FC Platinum are championship dark horses.