Tough mission for Bosso

UNBEATEN Highlanders face a tough mission in their quest to preserve their fine run so far this season when they square off against FC Platinum in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo this afternoon.

Highlanders and draw specialists ZPC Kariba are the only teams yet to taste defeat so far this season.

Even though Bosso have only lost once to Kugona Kunenge Kudada since the Zvishavane based side gained promotion in 2011, FC Platinum have beaten Highlanders three times this year, with two of those wins happening at Emagumeni.

Both teams come into today's clash with impressive wins in their last outings. Highlanders recorded a 3-1 victory over Buffaloes at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare while the Lloyd Mutasa coached FC Platinum thrashed Triangle 4-0.

Highlanders defeated FC Platinum 1-0 in a pre-season friendly match at Barbourfields Stadium but that proved to be their only win over the miners this year. FC Platinum beat Highlanders 2-0 in another pre-season match played in Zvishavane, won 6-5 on penalties at Barbourfields Stadium in the Independence Cup semi-finals and again conquered Bosso 3-2 in a Zimbabwe National Army Commander's Charities semi-final match at the same venue last month.

Highlanders will, however, have comfort in that FC Platinum have only picked up three points against them just once, something they achieved in their first season in the top flight in 2011 when they won 2-0 in Zvishavane. Since then Bosso have completely dominated the platinum miners with four wins out of the five matches the two teams have played. The only time FC Platinum have secured any points was a 0-0 draw last season.

Kelvin Kaindu, the Highlanders coach described today's match as one of the most difficult for his team this season, adding that they (Highlanders) were even under a lot of pressure since they were playing at home.

"This is one of the most difficult matches this season, history doesn't matter at all now, this is a different match altogether. They are obviously feeling motivated since they beat us. Things are tight at the top, the points difference is not that much, you lose and find yourself sliding places down the log," said Kaindu.

Highlanders welcome back from injury speedy forward Gabriel Nyoni and Simon Munawa. Star midfielder Kudakwashe Mahachi, scorer of the goal which handed Bosso a 1-0 over Harare City was also involved in training during the week and chances are high the Warriors midfielder will be in the team this afternoon.

Still out injured are the midfield trio of Peter "Rio" Moyo, Mthulisi Maphosa and Rahman Kutsanzira.

Ariel Sibanda looks set to continue in goals with good cover from skipper Innocent Mapuranga, Dumisani Ndlovu, Bruce Kangwa and Munawa.

In midfield, Erick Mudzingwa, Joel Ngodzo, Mahachi, Valentine Ndaba, Welcome Ndiweni, Knox Mutizwa will be fighting it out to make it into the starting line up. Ozias Zibande, Charles Sibanda, Milton Ncube, Mgcini Sibanda and Cleopas Dube are the men the hard-to-please Bosso fans will be looking up to for goals this afternoon.

The visitors' captain Thabani Kamusoko, who bossed the midfield the last time the two teams met, will look to his able colleagues Mitchelle Katsvairo, Donald Ngoma, former Bosso striker Njabulo Ncube, Allan Gahadzikwa and Marshall Mudehwe, as they hunt for the win over Highlanders.

In other matches lined up for this afternoon, defending champions Dynamos take on Triangle at the National Sports Stadium while trouble-ridden Shabanie Mine welcome Chicken Inn at Maglas Stadium.

Fixtures
Today: Highlanders v FC Platinum (Barbourfields Stadium), Dynamos v Triangle (National Sports Stadium), Shabanie Mine v Chicken Inn (Maglas Stadium).