HIGHLANDERS striker Gabriel Nyoni, midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa and captain Innocent Mapuranga are undergoing assessment ahead of the big Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL)match against Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Sunday.
Sukoluhle Mthethwa Sports Reporter
The three have been instrumental in Highlanders good run in the PSL. Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu yesterday told Southern Eye Sport that they were being monitored.
“Mthulisi, Gabriel and Innocent are carrying minor knocks, but they are training. I cannot say what really is wrong with them because I would be giving away information to our opponents. They are being assessed,” he said.
Nyoni, the striker who has banged in crucial goals for Bosso, missed the Highlanders match against Tripple B and Black Rhinos through injury.
On Sunday’s game Kaindu said: “The game will be just like any other. There is nothing special about it although we know that three points are at stake. We also know the rivalry between the two teams and the fact that last season the teams took first and second positions.
“Preparations for the match are going on well, the weather is good. We need rain, but we hope that it will not rain heavily on the day. We thank God for the position we are in; it is our desire to stay on top. We hope by the grace of God we would continue to be on top,” he said.
Highlanders go into the match boasting a two-point advantage as they have 47 points from 25 games while Dynamos have 45 points from the same number of games.
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Sunday’s match promises to be exciting as Bosso would want to collect maximum points, a result which would see the Bulawayo giants open a five-point gap while DeMbare are trying to close in.
A Highlanders defeat could see DeMbare back on top of the log table. Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro was not available for comment yesterday as he said they were tackling logistics ahead of the crucial tie.
However, on Tuesday he indicated to our sister publication NewsDay that they were wary of Bosso. “They are the first team to score more than two goals at Rimuka Stadium,” he said.
“Black Rhinos had turned Rimuka into a fortress. They were unbeaten in their last three games at Rimuka Stadium and the fact that Highlanders ended that good run shows they are the team of the moment.
“So we have to tackle this assignment with hunger and aggression because they have not won the championship for a very long time and will be at home. They really need to win this title. We have to go out there with a positive mind.”
Meanwhile, the match pitting Highlanders and Dynamos legends set to curtain raise the PSL top-of-the-log clash on Sunday has been cancelled amid revelations that DeMbare failed to raise a team.
Highlanders treasurer Jerry Sibanda confirmed the cancellation of the match. “The match was set for Saturday, but it has been cancelled because Dynamos failed to raise a team. Highlanders legends were prepared for the game. They had a training session today (yesterday) at Highlanders clubhouse ground,” Sibanda said.
He said they have, however, organised a clash between Bosso and DeMbare junior teams to curtain raise the big match. “Although we have failed to raise the legends team, we have instead organised a clash between Bosso and DeMbare Under-19s to curtain raise Sunday’s match. It is still a good idea because our football future lies in the hands of juniors,” he said.
He also pointed out that they were expecting a large turnout as gate charges would be fair for such a big match. The gate charges for the rest of the ground will be $5 while the wing tickets will be $10. Gates two, five and six will be for the wings.
For those who would like to watch the blockbuster with their families, VIP tickets will be costing $20 and gates three and four will be open for the VIP stands.
Sibanda also revealed that all five grounds will be used for parking cars at $2 per car.
