Injuries rock Bosso

Sport
THE Highlanders camp is looking more like a mini hospital.

THE Highlanders camp is looking more like a mini hospital.

FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER

And this is hardly the situation they would need when they face unpredictable Triangle in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium (BF) this afternoon.

Consistent left-back Bruce Kangwa and midfielder Hillary Madzivanyika picked up knocks against Harare City in the Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-final tie at Mandava Stadium, Zvishavane, on Saturday and are being monitored by the Bosso medical team.

Also under the eye of the team’s doctors are the central defenders, skipper Innocent Mapuranga and Dumisani “Fazo” Ndlovu.

Ndlovu and Madzivanyika had to be pulled out of the Harare City match on Saturday and the former was replaced by Mapuranga, who also has been nursing an injury picked up in a league match against Black Rhinos in a 3-0 win at Rimuka few weeks back and aggravated during the top-of-the-table clash against champions Dynamos at BF, which the Bulawayo giants lost 0-1.

Mapuranga was stretchered off the field during the Dynamos match and replaced by Madzivanyika. All the four players trained with the club yesterday morning at White City Stadium, but head coach Kelvin Kaindu, concerned with inconsistency in the team, said he was waiting for a report from the team’s doctors to see if the four would be fit to play in today’s match.

“They are improving and we have to wait for the medical report from the team doctor (Loyal Nyika) so that we know if they are fit to play. They trained this morning and are we will be training again in the afternoon and that is when we will know if they will be part of the squad that will play tomorrow (today).

“We cannot risk any players at this crucial stage and it will only be good to play someone who will give you 100%,” Kaindu said.

Three matches remain for the Bulawayo giants and after the Triangle match, they will travel to the capital for a date with Harare City before hosting Shabanie Mine in their last match.

Bosso are a point behind Dynamos and Harare City who are on 49 points and Kaindu, eyeing a double and the $130 000 Mbada Diamonds Cup, said there was no time for slackening.

“It’s still an open race and we have to win all our matches and see how it ends on the last day because no top team is ready to drop any points now in the race,” Kaindu said.

Bosso will be without Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube who is serving suspension after he was red-carded during the Dynamos match last month.

Triangle coach Gishon Ntini, comes to Bulawayo without Pardon Chinungwa, who saw red when his side held Dynamos to a 2-2 draw at Gibbo Stadium, Triangle, but he has an able squad that boasts the likes of Pasca Manhanga, Limited Chikafa, Courage Denias, David Sengu and Misheck Mburayi.

If Triangle win their last three matches against Bosso, Shabanie and Chicken Inn, they will end the season in a respectable position on 48 points.

“The match against Highlanders is going to be very tough, but very entertaining. We are looking forward to the match because we need maximum points and we can achieve that. We also need to win this match because we are aiming at a top-eight finish. This match is very vital to us,” Ntini said.

Triangle has lost twice to Bosso, 1-2 in a league match at Gibbo and 3-2 to bow out of the Mbada Diamonds Cup.

Two weeks ago, Ntini claimed he had held the keys to the championship race, but after the 2-2 draw against Dynamos, he will come to BF with his tail between his legs against a team that will not stop at anything to claim a league and cup double.