CHICKEN Inn midfielder Thabani Goredema will miss the mid-week derby against Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium (BF) due to suspension after accumulating three yellow cards, according to a memorandum that was released by the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Report by Sukoluhle Mthethwa
The industrious pint-sized Goredema gave Highlanders anchorman Mthulisi Maphosa a torrid time in last year’s second round fixture at BF in which the two sides ended in a goalless draw.
The first encounter had also ended goalless.
Chicken Inn right-back Moses Jackson, who scored the second goal when the GameCox dismissed Black Mambas 2-0 at Luveve just before the two-week break, will also miss the match through suspension.
Goredema picked up the first yellow card when they held champions Dynamos to a 1-1 draw in Harare in April before he was cautioned when they edged Caps United 1-0 at Luveve Stadium early last month.
The third was when they beat Black Mambas before the PSL break. Highlanders are eager to have an edge over Chicken Inn after losing the first Bulawayo derby 2-1 to Premiership new boys How Mine last month.
The Bulawayo giants are hoping to stretch their lead at the top of the log standings beyond the 29 points from 13 games. They are being chased by champions Dynamos and Harare City tied on 25 points.
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Chicken Inn are on position four with 23 points from the same number of games.
Last season Highlanders and Chicken Inn also clashed in the Christmas Mayor’s Cheer Fund charity football match which ended in a 1-all stalemate at Emagumeni. In Chicken Inn’s maiden appearance in the league in 2011 Highlanders emerged 2-1 winners at Luveve Stadium before the two sides played a 1-1 draw at BF.
Both sides boast players who graced the 2012 Soccer Star of the Year calendar.
Highlanders had Maphosa, Highlanders captain Innocent Mapuranga, goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda and first runner-up Masimba Mambare while Chicken Inn’s Kudakwashe Mahachi and captain Felix Chindungwe were also selected.
Mahachi was also named Rookie of the Year.
Mpofu is now assisted by former Highlanders player and coach Mkhuphali Masuku who will be plotting the downfall of the Kelvin Kaindu-coached side.
