Bosso look to bouncing back to winning ways

WITH just two points collected from a possible nine points in their last three matches, Highlanders will look to bounce back to winning ways when they meet Black Rhinos in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixture at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo this afternoon.

Highlanders last recorded a win on Africa Day when they dispatched Buffaloes 3-1 at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare but since then things have not gone well for Kelvin Kaindu's troops.

Successive 1-1 draws against FC Platinum at home and Triangle away were followed by a 1-0 loss to fierce rivals Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, their first defeat of the season.

The Bulawayo giants have to do without a number of their star performers this season. Kudakwashe Mahachi, on loan from South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns has been called up for a pre-season camp, Milton Ncube has left to join Ajax Cape Town, Peter "Rio" Moyo left for Mpumalanga Black Aces while Khumbulani Banda is said to be on trials at another ABSA Premiership side Maritzburg United.

Kaindu will now turn to the players who have not seen much of action this season to deliver the much needed three points for Bosso.

Kaindu said he believes there is enough depth at the club to come in for the players who have left as long as the players have the belief. He said despite recording identical 1-0 victories over Chipembere last season, they were not taking their opponents likely.

"We always respect our opponents, it doesn't matter that we beat them home and away, that is history now. We have enough players to replace those who have left as long as they have the belief,'' said Kaindu.

Midfielders Mthulisi Maphosa and Rahman Kutsanzira are still out with injury for Highlanders.

Njabulo Nyoni was given his first start in goals and it is yet to be seen if he is going to start again this afternoon ahead of Ariel Sibanda and Munyaradzi Diya. Captain Innocent Mapuranga, Dumisani "Fazo" Ndlovu, Bruce Kangwa and Simon Munawa look certain to make up the defence.

Erick Mudzingwa, Joel Ngodzo, Valentine Ndaba, Knox Mutizwa and Hillary Madzivanyika will fight it out for places in the midfield.

Charles Sibanda, the Bosso leading goal scorer with six goals is expected to lead the quest for goals with the assistance of Ozias Zibande, Gabriel Nyoni and Cleopas Dube.

Zimbabwe Warriors defender Wonder Kapinda, Philip Marufu, Shadreck Jimu, Milton Kurewa, Brian Muzondiwa and Lot Chiwunga are some of the players the visitors would be counting on as they seek to embarrass Bosso in front of their fans.

In other fixtures set for this afternoon, Triangle welcome How Mine to Gibbo Stadium, Buffaloes take on Chapungu at Sakubva Stadium while a rejuvenated Caps United clash with Hwange at the National Sports Stadium.

Fixtures
Today: Triangle v How Mine (Gibbo Stadium), Highlanders v Black Rhinos (Barbourfields Stadium), Buffaloes v Chapungu (Sakubva Stadium), Caps United v Hwange (National Sports Stadium).