CASTLE Lager Premiership Soccer League (PSL) pacesetters Highlanders are hosting the Commander Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) charity match against Black Rhinos at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday ahead of the Wednesday league derby against Chicken Inn at the same venue.
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Bosso head coach Kelvin Kaindu, who returned to Zimbabwe from his homeland Zambia on Tuesday, said they will not be taking the game lightly.
“We are looking forward to the game. It is an honour for us to be taking part in that match. This is not a practice match as we are going to select a team that is going to play well. It is a game that has got something at stake,” Kaindu said.
Winners will walk away with $6 000 while the losers will get $4 000.
Kaindu said the PSL break came at an opportune time as most of his players who had suffered knocks during the last league games had recovered.
“Most of the guys have recovered, but we are still assessing ‘Barca’ (Bhekimpilo Ncube), Honest Moyo and Ariel (Sibanda),” Kaindu said.
Highlanders have not rested during the break after edging Hwange 1-0 at the Colliery and last Saturday, but had to cancel a friendly match against Tripple B at Dulibadzimu Stadium due to injuries in camp.
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One player that has made tremendous improvement at Bosso is central defender Dumisani “Fazo” Ndlovu, who replaced Erick Mudzingwa, who now comes in to boost the midfield, coming from the bench after recovering from rib injuries.
The last time, Black Rhinos were in the City of Kings they fell 3-1 to Bosso in a league match on April 28, but this time around coach Arthur Tutani is confident they will upset the Bulawayo giants ahead of their league match against Tripple B at Rimuka Stadium on Wednesday.
They, however, travel to Bulawayo without the two injured players Lazarus Muhoni and skipper Brighton Chandisaita.
“This is our bosses’ game and they will be happy if we win it. We are coming to Bulawayo for good results.
“We are coming to test Highlanders’ strength and at the same time work on grey areas as we are fighting relegation. I know Bosso will expose us and we will polish our weaknesses as we play Tripple B on Wednesday. If we beat Highlanders, then my boys will be confident against Tripple B,” Tutani said.
Some of the players to look forward to in the soldiers’ camp are Britto Gwere (former Bosso goalkeeper), Brighton Mugoni, Wonder Kapinda and Lot Chiunga.
ZNA Head of Army Charities Secretariat head Major Fabion Chitungo yesterday said: “We have five charitable institutions that we look after in the army and all proceeds from the match will be channelled to the institutions.”
The five are the Tsanga Lodge Convalescent — a rehabilitation centre in Nyanga — ZNA Widows and Orphans’ Fund, ZNA Benevolent Fund, ZNA Patients’ Welfare Fund and the ZNA Schools and Welfare Fund.
“We have troops that are currently deployed along the border with Mozambique engaged in demining activities.
“We support them with goodies, recreation and toiletries from Benevolent Fund. In the Schools and Welfare Fund, we have 12 primary and five secondary schools scattered all over the country.
“Normally we get something from the fiscus, but it is not enough, so we supplement through fundraising activities,” Chitungo said.
