Errol Akbay
Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter—
HIGHLANDERS’ mid-season signing Nhlanhla Ndlovu has been ruled out of tomorrow’s “must win” clash against Triangle United at Gibbo Stadium while Prince Dube should pass a late fitness test. Both players were substituted during their embarrassing 1-2 loss to lowly placed Mutare City on Thursday after picking injuries. After assessing the players yesterday morning, Bosso coach Erol Akbay ruled out Ndlovu and is hoping that Dube recovers on time for the match.
Akbay has described his team’s encounter against Triangle as a “must win” and is hoping that Bosso, who have scored only two goals in their last six league games get a right formula against the Lowveld side.
The Dutch expatriate said they’re in dire need of a victory to try and keep up with the title chasing group. “We’ve to win this game by all means. Losing two consecutive games is not acceptable by any standards. If we’re to remain at the top we’ve to win against Triangle. How we win doesn’t matter as long as we grind a positive result,” said Akbay.
“The only challenge is that just like last week against Caps United, we’ve to change our strike force and our game plan because of injuries. Prince is a doubtful starter because he is feeling some muscle pain and Nhlanhla is out,” said Akbay.
In the absence of Dube and Ndlovu, seasoned striker Ralph Matema will lead the Highlanders’ attack at Gibbo alongside Kasimero Chimbadzwa. Highlanders will also bank on newly signed Allen Gahadzikwa who had a brilliant debut against Mutare City Rovers which earned him praise from Akbay as well as the supporters.
Gahadzikwa joined Highlanders from Caps United and showed his yesteryear form, stringing good passes and dropping to provide cover for defence. Besides Gahadzikwa, some of the players that Akbay will be banking on include Peter Muduhwa, Erick Mudzingwa and Rahman Kutsanzira.
Simon Munawa who had been sitting it out in the last games played the entire match against Rovers and it seems the bench has reformed him as he fought for every ball on Thursday. Highlanders will not have it easy at Gibbo as Triangle also go into the match coming from a 0-1 loss to Chapungu and after getting a point in their last meeting with Bosso, the Lowveld side may fancy their chances of collecting maximum points at home.
Nelson Meson, Malvern Gaki, former Shabanie Mine and FC Platinum striker Nelson Maziwisa, Marvellous Mukumba, Brian Juwayeyi and Guthrie Zhokinyi are some of the players that Highlanders should be wary of.
The Bulawayo giants are third on table with 31 points, six behind leaders FC Platinum who take on second placed Caps United in a top of the table clash at the National Sports Stadium today.
Highlanders will be praying that the Caps United-FC Platinum match ends in a stalemate, and they beat Triangle so that they close in on the top two. Meanwhile, this afternoon Chicken Inn will be hoping to get maximum points against Chapungu who beat them 2-1 in the reverse fixture.
The defending champions are on position 10 with 22 points and their biggest undoing has been inconsistency just like a number of PSL clubs. The Chicken Inn-Chapungu match is set for Luveve, a stadium where the defending champions beat Harare City 2-0 last week and will be hoping to get another set of maximum points.
Bulawayo City who suspended their technical team over match-fixing allegations take on Hwange at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon. City beat Border Strikers 1-0 in a midweek encounter while the coalminers held league leaders FC Platinum to a 1-1 draw.
Tomorrow, How Mine plays host to Harare City at Barbourfields while Tsholotsho travel to Sakubva to face Mutare City Rovers who beat Bosso 2-1. Tsholotsho will be hoping to bounce back from a 0-1 loss to Caps United.
Fixtures
Today: Bulawayo City v Hwange (Barbourfields), ZPC Kariba v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Nyamhunga), Chicken Inn v Chapungu (Luveve), Caps United v FC Platinum (National Sports Stadium, 3PM, SuperSport)
Tomorrow: Triangle United v Highlanders (Gibbo), How Mine v Harare City (Luveve), Border Strikers v Dynamos (Dulivhadzimo), Mutare City Rovers v Tsholotsho FC (Sakubva, 3PM, SuperSport)
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