Football fiesta looms in Bulawayo City.

Sport
A FOOTBALL fiesta is in store for Bulawayo fans this weekend when the country’s Big Three - Dynamos, Highlanders and Caps United open the second half

A FOOTBALL fiesta is in store for Bulawayo fans this weekend when the country’s Big Three – Dynamos, Highlanders and Caps United open the second half of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

REPORT BY FORTUNE MBELE

The journey begins today with second-placed Chicken Inn, square on 29 points with log leaders Highlanders, hosting Shabanie Mine at Luveve.

Tomorrow, How Mine will host defending champions Dynamos at Luveve before the epic Highlanders-Caps United clash at Barbourfields Stadium closes the super weekend.

Chicken Inn have a chance of leaping to pole position this afternoon, but it will not be easy against the former asbestos miners, who emphatically showed them the exit door in the BancABC Sup8r Cup last Friday with a 2-0 win at Mandava Stadium.

GameCox will land on 32 points if they have the edge over Shabanie whom they beat 1-2 in front of their home crowd at Maglas Stadium in the reverse fixture on June 23.

Shabanie Mine head coach Luke Masomere, buoyant after last week’s display at Mandava, predicted a tough encounter for this afternoon, but said his boys were fired up for the game.

“It was really a good game last week and this one (today’s) is crucial for both sides. We are fighting relegation and Chicken Inn will be seeking to consolidate their position at the top of the log standings.

“A win is going to be good for both sides. We will do our best, but we know this time we are playing away from home and the trick is to employ a different game plan because we know how teams behave when they play at home,” Masomere said.

Shabanie lie on position 12 with 17 points, four away from log anchors Black Rhinos.

Chicken Inn gaffer Mandla Mpofu, who comes into the game without suspended midfielders Brian Juru and Thabani Goredema, also expects a tough game, but needs the maximum points against Shabanie.

“We have to win this one. We dearly need the three points. We have played Shabanie two times in a row, we beat them and they beat us.

“They are fighting relegation and a team like that is dangerous, but my boys know what is at stake,” Mpofu said.

Leading scorer Tendai Ndoro was kept under lock and key last week and with Kudakwashe Mahachi not as his best, Chicken Inn’s game only improved with the introduction of Mkhokheli Dube and Goredema.

The defence which had Moses Jackson and Guide Goddard on the bench, was also a bit suspicious.

DeMbare are only a point behind Highlanders with 28 points and could also land at the top if they win tomorrow’s tie against struggling How Mine — a team they beat 3-0 in Harare two weeks ago, should both Bosso and GameCox lose or draw.

Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro yesterday said they were looking forward to picking up maximum points, but they were not undermining the Premiership newcomers.

“We are expecting a good result in Bulawayo. We are presently third on the log standings and it is a good position going into the second round.

“Morale is high in the camp, but How Mine are a very good side with very experienced players. We beat them last time because we got those three chances and we utilised them,” Chihoro said.

The league champions head to Bulawayo without injured striker Patrick Kumbula, but could be pinning their hopes on Russell Madamombe, red-hot Clive Kawinga and Tawanda Muparati.

How Mine head coach Philani Mabhena said he was not reading much into the loss from the last game.

“Although it will be a tough match, it is a new game altogether. We are playing at home and we will try our best to get a good result,” he said.

Mabhena will be without suspended goalkeeper Pedzisai Gumiremhete, Thandazani Ndlovu and veteran defender Gilbert Banda while Thabani Moyo is out due to injury.

How Mine have in their ranks experienced players in skipper Hebert Dick and striker Simon Njeleza and Warriors fringe striker Simbarashe Sithole.

Another explosive title in Bulawayo will pit log leaders Highlanders and Caps United at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

Bosso have gone on a three-match losing streak and will be looking forward to restoring lost pride by beating the Green Machine who dismissed them 2-1 two weeks ago in Harare to land three points behind Highlanders on position six.