AFTER missing the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium and the Bosso-Buffaloes tie due to suspension, Highlanders attacking midfielder Pasca Manhanga says he is happy to be back ahead of the Harare City match at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow. SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER
But central defender Dumisani Ndlovu will be out after accumulating there yellow cards and will be suspended together with midfielder Simon Munawa.
Manhanga was sent off nine minutes before the final whistle for a second bookable offence by referee Thembinkosi Sibanda after he moved off the wall before Triangle could take a free-kick inside Bosso’s half.
The second half season acquisition had earlier been cautioned for a deliberate handball.
However, Manhanga had cup games to thank as he got game time in the TM Pick n Pay Challenge against Dynamos in Harare and the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final tie against How Mine at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds on Sunday.
“I am happy that I am back in the team from suspension. I felt very bad when I did not feature in the last two league games. But I used that opportunity to work very hard so that I could come back into the team. My target is to score for my team. I have to work hard because I am playing for a big team like Highlanders. I want to be in the soccer star of the year calendar and win the championship,” he said.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu said the availability of Manhanga would give them more options.
“We are happy that Manhanga is back because it will give us more dimensions. We would have a larger pool of players to choose from.
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There are players who are carrying slight knocks, but for tactical reasons I won’t say their names. We are training this afternoon (yesterday) and tomorrow (today). We will monitor the players,” he said.
“Harare City is a very unpredictable team. They can raise their game or just go down, but they are a good team. They are full of energy and we respect them. The better side on the day will win,” he said.
Bosso’s new acquisition Tapiwa Dephistara who made his debut against How Mine on Sunday said he was excited to have finally featured.
“After playing my first game for Highlanders against How Mine I was very excited. I want to play in most games so that I could be seen everywhere because I am playing for a very big club. I want to do more in the coming games. I want to win the championship, but it is in God’s hands. By the end of the season I want to go and play outside the country,” he said.
Harare City coach Masimba Dinyero said they wanted to revenge the 0-1 loss they suffered at the hands of Highlanders in the first round of the league.
“Highlanders are title contenders, but to me we are not going there to play for fun. We want to revenge. Highlanders beat us 1-0 away now it’s our turn. We are at home so we have to win at all costs,” he said.
Elsewhere, Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu would be hoping for maximum points when Bantu Rovers face Chicken Inn in a league match at Hartsfield tomorrow.
Bantu Rovers are lying second from the bottom of the log table and a defeat could spell more trouble. Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas would want to avoid defeat as they lost 1-2 to Bantu Rovers when they clashed in the first round of the league.
Suspended players for this weekend:
Dumisani Ndlovu (Highlanders FC)
Andrew Chuma (Hwange FC)
Simon Munawa (Highlanders FC)
Themba Ndlovu (Dynamos FC)
Obediah Tarumbwa (Bantu Rovers FC)
Moses Majika (Bantu Rovers FC)
Steven Matsangaise (Black Rhinos FC)
Benson Maglasi (Harare City FC)
Mike Nyamukasa (Buffaloes FC)
