Bosso ready to defend Chibuku Cup

HIGHLANDERS coach Mandla Mpofu says his charges are geared to defend the Chibuku Super Cup title although it will not be easy in the first round, playing six derbies in a new tournament format as local top football resumes.

The games are scheduled to start next weekend.

The Bulawayo giants won the Chibuku Super Cup in 2019, beating Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-0 in the final with Prince Dube scoring the all-important goal.

All the time, Highlanders were under Dutchman Hendrikus Pieter de Jongh with Mpofu as his assistant coach.

Mpofu is now head coach at Bosso and reckons the new format of the Chibuku Super Cup is not an easy arrangement.

"We are ready. It has been a year since we last played competitive football. Let the games begin. This is a different format, meaning we are going to play more games. Normally in the competition, it would take you four games to reach the final. If you look at this one, we will play six games in the first round, then the quarter-finals if we go through, the semis, and then the finals. Which means to get to the final, you would have played eight while the final itself would be the ninth match," Mpofu said.

He added that the round-robin stage is not an easy task considering that they face four derbies.

"We are happy football is back after a long time and the most important thing for us as a club is to defend the title, but it is not going to be easy. We will be playing derbies in the first round, the group stages so to speak. You can't take chances in this first round because anything can happen. These players know each other, the games themselves will motivate them. We are going into six tough matches in the first round," he said.

The Bulawayo giants have beefed up their squad after losing a considerable number of players including key striker Dube who now plays for Azam in Tanzania. They are now pinning their hopes on young Washington Navaya, recently signed from ZPC Munyati after also losing Tinashe Makanda to Dynamos.

They have also brought in goalkeepers Future Sibanda and Reward Muza, defenders Andrew Tandi, Chrispen Ncube and Cardwell Gavaza.

New midfielders include Winston Mhango, Muziwakhe Dlamini, Pritchard Mpelele and returnee Joel Ngodzo.

Upfront they have roped in Toto Banda, Lynoth Chikuhwa, Keith Mavhunga, Navaya, Mthabisi Ncube and Rodi Sibanda who was signed last year but never played a game. They have so far played Dynamos, losing 2-0 in the Independence Trophy before their 0-0 with FC Platinum in a friendly match last week.

Highlanders are in Pool B of the tournament which also features Chicken Inn, Bulawayo Chiefs, and Bulawayo City, and the four will play their games at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.

Pool A contains Harare giants Dynamos, Caps United, ZPC Kariba, Herentals, and Yadah at the National Sports Stadium with Mutare's Sakubva Stadium playing host to Black Rhinos, Cranborne Bullets, Manica Diamonds and Tenax. Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane will host champions FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum, Triangle, and Whawha.

The 2021 Highlanders squad

Goalkeepers: Future Sibanda, Reward Muza, Ariel Sibanda

Defenders: Peter Muduhwa, Andrew Mbeba, Andrew Tandi, Mbongeni Ndlovu, Charlton Siamalonga, Chrispen Ncube, Cardwell Gavaza

Midfielders: Winston Mhango, Adrian Silla, Divine Mhindirira, Bukhosi Sibanda, Nqobizitha Masuku, Godfrey Makaruse, Muziwakhe Dlamini, Ray Lunga, Pritchard Mpelele, Joel Ngodzo

Strikers: Rodi Sibanda, Toto Banda, Lynoth Chikuhwa, Keith Mavunga, Washington Navaya, Mthabisi Ncube.