HIGHLANDERS go into the first round of the $130 000 Mbada Diamonds Cup hit by injuries as they entertain Premier Soccer League (PSL) newcomers Triangle at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.
SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER
The match will be screened live on SuperSport 9 at 3pm.
The day’s proceedings will be opened by a clash between league debutants How Mine and Black Rhinos, starting at 1pm.
Highlanders speed merchant Bruce Kangwa and midfielders Peter “Rio” Moyo, Bhekimpilo Ncube and Heritein Masuku are nursing injuries ahead of the crucial tie, but head coach Kelvin Kaindu says the three are under medical attention.
“We have injuries in our camp on Bruce Kangwa, Peter Moyo, Bhekimpilo Ncube and Heritein Masuku. I cannot say what the problems are, but the three are being monitored,” Kaindu said.
He, however, said Bosso was ready for Triangle despite the injuries.
“It’s a cup game, so we know what is at stake. It’s not a league game and one team has to progress, so we are taking it very seriously.
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The result will depend on the better team of the day and I don’t want to say we will go through when we haven’t played yet,” he said.
With Highlanders having lost their last league game against How Mine at home, it will be interesting to see how they respond in the cup competition in front of their demanding fans. Highlanders’ mid-season signing Master Masitara is yet to make an impression while Tinashe Chipunza is yet to play a competitive match for the Bulawayo giants.
One wonders why the team axed Graham Ncube, who has since joined Division One side Bantu Rovers and Cleopas Dube loaned to Bulawayo Chiefs.
Bosso have other players in Knox Mutizwa, Ozias Zibande, Bobby Nkomo, Mgcini Sibanda, Ryan Howes and Douglas Sibanda who have not had much game time this season.
Kaindu could not be drawn to comment on whether these players could feature on Sunday.
“We pick a team depending on how the players perform at training. We also look at our opponents before we are able to say who is going to get a chance to play,” the Zambian gaffer said.
Triangle coach Gishon Ntini said they were looking forward to a tough encounter.
“Our preparations for the game against Highlanders have gone on well. Limited Chikafa, Courage Denias and David Sengu were all injured, but they have recovered.
“It is going to be a very tough game because the match needs a winner. It is difficult to predict, but we are ready for the tussle. There is nothing impossible,” he said.
Ntini said they were not scared to face Highlanders playing at home.
“Highlanders have a slight advantage in that they will be playing at their home ground. But it is not the supporters who play.
We will go all out in attack. We want to unsettle them as early as possible.
We are like lions because we don’t fear anything,” he said.
He said captain Tineyi Meda was the only player nursing an injury. Highlanders have been success-starved having last won the Independence Trophy in 2011.
In the inaugural edition of the Mbada Cup that year, they were booted out in the first round by Zimbabwe Saints who were struggling in the PSL. Saints stunned Bosso 6-5 in penalties.
Hwange proved to be a bad hunting ground for Bosso as they bowed out in the quarter-final at the hands of Monomotapa at the Colliery Stadium with a 2-3 defeat.
Before the Highlanders and Triangle clash, How Mine will lock horns with Black Rhinos.
Both sides will be playing in the Mbada Diamonds Cup for the first time. How Mine assistant coach Simba Rusike said they were prepared to face the army side.
“We’ve been preparing for the Mbada Cup just like for any other team. We are concentrating on making sure that we go past the first round. We don’t have any injuries in camp,” he said.
Black Rhinos coach Arthur Tutani said they were geared up for the match.
“It’s a very interesting game because they beat us 2-1 in Harare. Now we will be playing them in the Mbada Cup, then we will play them again in our next league match. What we want is to put up a brave fight. I know How Mine have senior and experienced players, but we have youngsters who will also want to rise to the occasion,” he said.
“We also want to win the trophy, so we are not taking the game lightly,” he added.
