AFTER commanding a first-team jersey and settling in well at Highlanders, former Chicken Inn captain Felix Chindungwe will miss the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Black Rhinos at the uneven and bumpy Rimuka Stadium today due to suspension.
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Chindungwe, roped in to play as defensive linkman after Erick Mudzingwa was moved to the troublesome right- back position, has accumulated three yellow cards from the ZPC Kariba (away), Bantu Rovers and How Mine derbies at Barbourfields Stadium, ruling him out of today’s tie.
Highlanders head coach Kelvin Kaindu said they were going to miss Chindungwe as he had been instrumental in that position. Today could see the coach making some changes that could see another new signing Webster Chingodza making his debut, as Mudzingwa might revert to defensive midfield.
However, the Bosso coach said he could not get into details on the squad as they had received correspondence on Chindungwe’s suspension after he had already included the Warriors player in today’s squad.
Simon Munawa, who has previously played as right-back is injured. Rahman Kutsanzira, Gabriel Nyoni and new signing Munyaradzi King Nadolo are still out due to injury.
Highlanders played a goalless draw on Sunday against How Mine which saw the return of Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube and new acquisition Pascal Manhanga playing the first game for Bosso “It becomes difficult because we had already come up with the squad that will be travelling to Kadoma. Felix has played an instrumental role and he was part of our plans for tomorrow’s (today) game. We just received the e-mail that he is suspended,” Kaindu said.
After today’s match, Highlanders will face perennial nemesis Dynamos at Barbourfields on Saturday, but Kaindu who has played two successive draws at Emagumeni and remains at the top of the standings with 32 points, said he took each game as it came and the most important for now is Black Rhinos.
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“Every game is important and for now we focus on tomorrow’s (today)match,” he said.
Other options for Highlanders are Welcome Ndiweni, Joel Ngodzo and the young and promising Godfrey Makaruse.
Black Rhinos, perching on position four from the bottom of the table with 19 points from 17 matches, would be without three players this afternoon due to suspension.
However, beaming with confidence after holding Dynamos to a 0-0 draw at Rimuka on Sunday and beating How Mine in Bulawayo in his first assignment with Black Rhinos, coach Jostein Mathuthu said his objective would be to do well against every team and Highlanders will not be an exception. Brian Muzondiwa, Wilson Chakanyuka and Obey Gada are suspended.
“That is a big blow. Those are regular players and missing such members of the team at this stage, especially when you are playing a big team like Highlanders, could make you lose rhythm and confidence. But we have registered enough players for replacements. As any fair-minded coach, you want to do well against any team, be they Caps United or Dynamos, or Highlanders. Apart from the suspensions everyone is ready,” Mathuthu said.
