By Ricky Zililo
HIGHLANDERS FC coach Bongani Mafu’s main goal is to turn Barbourfields Stadium into a fortress that their opponents would find difficult to breach.
Mafu said yesterday that beating city rivals How Mine in tomorrow’s Castle Lager Premiership match would be the first step in achieving that feat. The Bulawayo derby promises to be a thriller as both teams seem to have discovered their lost mojo.
Bosso and How Mine set pre-season targets of lifting the title and are aware that tomorrow’s encounter has a bearing on how either side’s season shapes. Highlanders are seventh on the table on 18 points, eight points behind leaders Chicken Inn, while How Mine sit on position four with 21 points.
In their last outing at Barbourfields Stadium a fortnight ago, Highlanders had a flawless display, dismantling Whawha 2-0. They followed that up with another impressive show away to FC Platinum in Zvishavane where they played to a 2-2 draw.
Highlanders’ results from their last two outings soothed Mafu’s spirit because as he was under siege from fans calling for his ouster.
The last two matches also saw his strikers converting the chances they created. Obadiah Tarumbwa and Knox Mutizwa scored in successive weekends, something Mafu had been clamouring for.
Now Mafu is pleading with the fans to back his charges all the way as they try to display some entertaining football.
If Highlanders supporters’ jovial mood at Mandava Stadium last weekend was to be repeated at Emagumeni tomorrow, the Bosso gaffer believes they can beat How Mine.
“I know How Mine are a strong side but with a vociferous 12th man, our supporters, our opponents won’t come out of Barbourfields Stadium with maximum points on Sunday,” said Mafu.
“I’m passionately appealing to our fans to support us like they did against FC Platinum. It was really amazing and electrifying for the boys. They never booed at us even when FC Platinum were all over us in the first 15 minutes.
“It’s that positive backing from our supporters that is going to aid our plan of turning Barbourfields Stadium into a fortress which will be hard to breach,” he said.
Highlanders’ only way of appealing for supporters’ backing is by playing their quick passing and entertaining game.
Tomorrow they have to do that without veteran midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa, Gabriel Nyoni, Ozias Zibande and Welcome Ndiweni, who are either injured or ill.
Bosso will bank on last weekend’s heroes at FC Platinum, who include goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, evergreen rightback Wenster Chingodza, Bruce Kangwa, Rahman Kutsanzira, Mutizwa and King Nadolo. Edmore Muzanenhamo also had a decent game at Mandava.
Tarumbwa is expected to pass a late fitness test and is likely to play about half of the game because he has just recovered from a chest infection.
Mafu has also challenged his players to concentrate throughout the match after seeing his charges surrender a 2-1 lead at Mandava.
“We need not rest and concentrate throughout the game. I think my boys sat back when we were 2-1 up against FC Platinum and over enjoyed football. We were punished late in the game. We’ve to guard against complacency and as we go into How Mine game we want to maintain consistency,” Mafu said.
The gold miners have set their target on claiming Bosso’s scalp although coach Luke Masomere is predicting a tough game. “Sunday’s game is a big match and we’re ready for it. I think because they are a bigger team, pressure is more on them than us. My side has been playing well, home and away, and the game against Bosso is more of a defining moment for us as we approach the halfway mark,” said Masomere.
How Mine will be without suspended striker Charles Sibanda while defender Nelson Tachi is subject to a late fitness test.
Former Highlanders captain Gilbert Banda, who was rested for the ZPC Kariba game, returns to action alongside seasoned striker Limited Chikafa, who made a cameo appearance in the 2-1 win against the electricity generators.
Bosso should keep a close eye on Kuda Musharu, Wonder Sithole, Timothy January, Chikafa and Godfrey Nguwodzawo, who will lead the miners’ attack.
Banda, Tapiwa Khumbuyani, James Chitereki and Menard Mupera will shield goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya.
In other matches, defending champions Dynamos take on ZPC Kariba in Kariba while pacesetters Chicken Inn will be involved in stern test against Chapungu at Ascot Stadium in Gweru.
Chapungu had their seven-match unbeaten run brought to a halt by Harare City last weekend when they went down 0-2 in the capital and the airmen would be looking at bouncing back.
The Gamecocks are a surprise package of the season and if their title aspirations are to be taken seriously, they have to beat top teams like Chapungu, who are within touching distance in the championship race.
Tomorrow, third-placed Kelvin Kaindu’s Triangle United are tipped to collect maximum points at Gibbo Stadium when they host lowly Tsholotsho FC.
The Zhwane Boys are smarting from a 0-2 home defeat to Caps United.
Having lost 1-2 to How Mine two weeks ago, Triangle United know that a win against Tsholotsho FC will keep their title hopes alive.
Caps United play Flame Lily at the giant National Sports Stadium with Buffaloes taking on Whawha at Mutare’s Sakubva Stadium.
Hwange are hoping to upset FC Platinum at the Colliery and register their third win of the season.
The coalminers have not had the best of starts and lie 11th on the league table, just two points above the bottom teams.
It’s an uphill task for Hwange because FC Platinum have been playing some beautiful football lately and are capable of disappointing the coal miners in their own backyard.
Fixtures
Today: ZPC Kariba v Dynamos (Nyamhunga), Chapungu v Chicken Inn (Ascot)
Sunday: Dongo Sawmill v Harare City (Vengere), Buffaloes v Whawha (Sakubva), Hwange v FC Platinum (Colliery), Triangle United v Tsholotsho FC (Gibbo), Caps United v Flame Lily (National Sports Stadium), Highlanders v How Mine (Barbourfields). The Chronicle
