HIGHLANDERS left-back Bruce Kangwa is out of tomorrow’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) match against Triangle at Hartsfield, posing a defensive crisis on the home side who have no recognisable replacement after the departure of Khumbulani Banda for South Africa.
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Kangwa, who was disqualified from last year’s Castle Lager soccer star of the year selection despite an impressive season because he had picked up six yellow cards, is out of tomorrow’s match due to suspension.
He has accumulated three yellow cards in the previous three matches.
The roving defender was instrumental in Bosso’s 1-0 win over Shabanie Mine in the Chibuku Super Cup first round at Ascot Stadium on Sunday, setting up Pasca Manhanga to score the only goal of the match.
Most of Bosso’s raids on Sunday emanated from Kangwa’s flank as he combined well with the goalscorer who will be facing his former side. The stocky midfielder joined Bosso last month.
Kangwa picked the cards against their opponents tomorrow on June 15 at Gibbo and in the Bulawayo derby against How Mine on July 6. The third one was in the 0-1 loss to Dynamos a fortnight ago.
His absence will no doubt pose a headache to coach Kelvin Kaindu whose squad appear to be short of defensive players, particularly at the left-back position.
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On Sunday, all the players who were on the bench — Mthulisi Maphosa, Mgcini Sibanda, Knox Mutizwa, Valentine Ndaba, Welcome Ndiweni and Kudzanai Machazane — are not defenders.
With Banda gone to Absa PSL side Martinsburg United, Kaindu might be forced to throw in new signing Webster Chingozha for his Bosso debut.
The home side are hard-pressed to start picking up maximum points if they still nurse any hopes of clinching the league title which has eluded them for the last eight years.
Their recent league form has been poor, picking only two points from a possible 12 against struggling sides, giving a clear indication that all is not well in their camp.
They were held to goalless draws by relegation strugglers How Mine and Bantu Rovers before falling to Dynamos and Black Rhinos, dropping from pole position down to fourth with 32 points.
Since they are playing tomorrow after most teams have played their matches today, they might start their match in a far worse position on the log standings.
Despite their position at the moment, Kaindu is still hopeful that his team could bounce back and win the title.
“No one has been confirmed winners of the championship yet. There are still a number of games to be played and the race is still wide open,” Kaindu said.
