HIGHLANDERS await the arrival of striker Gabriel Nyoni who is a doubtful starter in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-final against Harare City at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday after he reportedly pulled a hamstring just before kick-off with the Warriors in Swaziland on Wednesday night.
FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER The Young Warriors beat the Swaziland senior national team 2-0 in an international friendly match at Somhlolo Stadium.
Highlanders caretaker coach Mark Mathe yesterday received unconfirmed reports that Nyoni had suffered a hamstring injury, but the team doctors would have to assess him before Sunday’s clash against Harare City.
Joel Ngodzo is also doubtful after he picked a knee injury in the 0-4 defeat to Caps United in a league match at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
“The worrying factor now is Ngodzo who suffered a knee injury in the game against Caps United and there are unconfirmed reports that Nyoni pulled a hamstring in Swaziland, but we have to wait for him to arrive so that our doctors can examine him,” Mathe said.
Defender Webster Chingodza, who has come in handy for Bosso on the right-back, is still out injured together with striker Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube.
However, striker Kudzanai Machazane started training and is available for selection.
“We have regrouped and spoken to the boys,” Mathe said.
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“We now put behind that humiliating defeat to Caps United and concentrate on the cup game. The game in itself is motivating as there are monetary rewards.
“This is not about me, but it’s about Highlanders who have a rich history in this tournament. We have an obligation to win and it’s critical that we win. All the other boys are available and they are raring to go.”
Bosso have Charles Sibanda, Felix Chindungwe, Pasca Manhanga, Welcome Ndiweni, Mthulisi Maphosa, Rahman Kutsanzira and Bruce Kangwa, among others, to carry the day for them on Sunday against Harare City — a team that beat them 1-0 a few weeks ago in a league match.
Harare City head coach Masimba Dinyero said he was eyeing the Chibuku Super Cup silverware and his boys were more than eager to beat Highlanders on Sunday.
“It will be an honour for me to win the Chibuku Cup, but the Sunday match is a 50-50,” said Dinyero, who has enjoyed a good spell at Harare City.
“The boys are eager and raring to go and they are saying time is running out. They should have played Highlanders yesterday.
“We beat Highlanders a few weeks ago, but this is a different match.”
In camp are the likes of Osborne Mukuradare, Francisco Zekumbawire, Martin Vengesayi, William Manondo and David Kutyauripo.
FC Platinum who face Black Rhinos in another semi-final at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow have cried foul over the inclusion of their instrumental players in the Young Warriors team that went for the friendly match in Swaziland.
Coach Norman Mapeza said the absence of Kevin Moyo and Wisdom Mutasa had affected their preparations for the cup tie against Black Rhinos.
Winners of the Chibuku Super Cup will pocket $75 000, losing finalists $50 000 while the losing semi-finalists are guaranteed $25 000 each.
Losing quarter-finalists also get $20 000 each in the Delta Beverages tournament sponsored to the tune of $500 000.
