HIGHLANDERS’ resolve to hold on to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League top spot will come under serious threat on Sunday when they play a How Mine side they have never beaten at Barbourfields Stadium (BF).
THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The Bulawayo giants’ only victory against How Mine was in last year’s Mbada Diamonds Cup final at BF where they romped to a 3-0 victory, but have never beaten them in the league.
Bosso lost home and away to How Mine falling 1-2 and 0-1 last season.
Despite having started on a slow note, How Mine had gone on a 10-match unbeaten run which was, however, broken last weekend by Triangle who beat them 2-1 at Gibbo.
How Mine who led the log at some point are now fifth with 22 points.
The gold miners will be without coach Philani Ncube, who is attending a Caf C licence course in Harare. Assistant Simba Rusike will take charge of the match.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu is available on the Bosso technical bench. He already possesses the A licence obtained in Zambia and might want to jump at the chance to outwit Ncube’s second-in-command.
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Last week, Highlanders showed some pedigree when they came from behind to beat Black Rhinos 3-1 at home and Kaindu remained hopeful that the game was the turning point in his quest to finally land the league title.
Man-of-the-moment Charles Sibanda scored twice against Rhinos to take his tally to seven this season – one behind the league’s leading scorer Kuda Musharu, who will be in How Mine colours.
Besides Musharu, pint-sized Timothy January, Edmore Muzanenhamo, Benjamin Marere and veteran Menard Mupera can cause all sort of problems for Highlanders, who are yet to have a regular starting eleven.
Sibanda, Gabriel Nyoni, Valentine Ndaba, Knox Mutizwa and Ozias Zibande, Welcome Ndiweni are some of the players that Kaindu can bank on while the return of Joel Ngodzo has added some flair in the middle of the park.
At Luveve tomorrow, Chicken Inn will seek to maintain their resurgence when they host Harare giants Caps United who have been on a roll in recent weeks and have moved into third position with 23 points from 13 games-just one point behind leaders Highlanders.
At Ascot, FC Platinum, who have managed four wins from 13 games this season – a paltry figure by their usually high standards – will seek to break Chapungu’s stubborn home streak.
Bantu Rovers will be at home to Triangle United on Monday seeking to stay afloat on their return to the top flight, which has been characterised by inconsistency.
That house on fire called Chiredzi FC will be at home to Harare City in the aftermath of the dismissal of coach-cum-director Moses Chunga.
He has vowed to stay put at the club after he was fired on Monday, claiming the executive does not have the power to do so.
Often a colourful yet controversial figure, it remains to be seen if Chunga will bounce back again after initially quiting early June before making a mid-air somersault.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Week 14 fixtures Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v Caps United (Luveve, SS9), Chiredzi v Harare City (Chishamiso), Chapungu v FC Platinum (Ascot).
Sunday: How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields, SS9), Shabanie Mine v Buffaloes (Maglas), Dynamos v Black Rhinos (Nationals Sports Stadium).
Monday: Bantu Rovers v Triangle United (Luveve)
