SIMBA SITHOLE is available for Highlanders when the Bulawayo giants take on Dynamos in the $110 000 TM Pick n Pay Challenge Cup final at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow as they seek a repeat of their glorious Independence Trophy win in 2011.
FORTUNE MBELE
SPORTS REPORTER
The former How Mine and Absa Ajax Cape Town striker played for the Bosso reserves on Wednesday afternoon before the league match against Buffaloes and chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede yesterday said the striker has since received his Premier Soccer League (PSL)licence.
“Yes, he got his licence and will be available, but it is now up to the technical team if they want to use him,” Gumede said.
However, head coach Kelvin Kaindu was playing his cards close to his chest on tomorrow’s final selection, saying he had not received any information on Sithole from the office.
“I am not going to comment on that until after training. I have not received any information from the office about Simba’s clearance,” Kaindu said.
Kaindu would most likely welcome back leading PSL scorer Charles Sibanda and Pasca Manhanga, who missed the Buffaloes match due to suspension.
While Highlanders created a number of chances against Buffaloes, they lacked the cutting edge that Sibanda possesses in front of goal and Manhanga’s ability to open up defences.
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That certainly points to a great game tomorrow.
Former Chiredzi winger Tapiwa Dephistara, who had clearance issues with his former club, sat on the bench against Buffaloes on Wednesday while midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa played in the reserves. Both could be available.
Injured defender Dumisani Ndlovu had to be replaced by new signing Webster Chingodza in the 66th minute while the Buffaloes match saw the return of tear-away striker Gabriel Nyoni and midfielders Simon Munawa and Rahman Kutsanzira.
Munawa came in for Hillary Madzivanyika in the 57th minute. After the Wednesday match, Kaindu said he was hoping to beat Dynamos tomorrow.
“It is a cup final and it is different from the league. What we need to do is work on the mental aspect of the game and believe in ourselves.
“In the games that we have lost before, we had always managed to go a step further and if you look at the last game we played we were far better,” Kaindu said.
It’s the fourth time that Highlanders and Dynamos meet this year after the league champions beat Bosso 1-0 in Harare in June and by the same scoreline last month at Barbourfields Stadium to complete a double in the league.
Dynamos won the Bob 90 Super Cup early this year.
However, Bosso still recall the 2011 Uhuru Trophy triumph.
With all odds stacked against them from a vociferous Dynamos crowd and sometimes questionable refereeing decisions at the National Sports Stadium, Highlanders summoned all strength to win 4-3 on penalties, thanks to Guthrie Zhokinyi’s misfortunes.
Dynamos had been awarded a dubious penalty in regulation time, but he skied his effort. In the shoot-out, the defender again aimed at the birds.
After a goalless draw in regulation time, the match had to be decided through a penalty lottery.
Innocent Mapuranga saw his first spot-kick saved by then Dynamos goalkeeper Washington Arubi before David Kutyauripo thrust Dynamos into the lead.
Lawson Nkomo, Misheck Mburayi and Gilbert Banda converted for Bosso while Farai Vimisayi and George Magariro hit the nets for Dynamos.
Zhokinyi, looking to atone for his earlier miss, watched in disbelief as his effort went over the bar. Njabulo Ncube then scored for Bosso before then Dynamos skipper, Desmond Maringwa missed the target to hand Bosso victory.
The winner of tomorrow’s final will walk away with $60 000 while the runner-up is assured of $50 000.
This is a huge incentive from TM and Pick n Pay and each team is actually guaranteed $50 000 for just being in the final, with the teams battling it out for the $10 000 difference.
