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Bosso face another bogey side
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Highlanders FC will be seeking to bounce back from their shock 2-0 defeat to ZPC Kariba when they welcome another tricky opponent, Herentals College FC, to Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) clash.
The Bulawayo giants, still nursing the wounds of a missed opportunity last weekend, now face The Students - a side that has proven a consistent thorn in their side. Last season, Herentals overturned a 2-0 deficit to force a draw in Harare before dealing Bosso's title hopes a fatal blow with a 2-1 win at Barbourfields in September.
Highlanders, who are desperate to end their title drought ahead of the club's 100-year anniversary celebrations next year, know they can ill afford further slip-ups.
Speaking ahead of the encounter, head coach Kelvin Kaindu admitted the threat Herentals pose.
"We have not watched them play this season. We're relying on reports from those who've seen them in action. This is a team we couldn't beat last season - they came from behind to draw and later beat us at home," Kaindu said.
"They are not a pushover. They've remained consistent since last season and have picked up points both home and away. We hope to bounce back strongly after the ZPC Kariba loss."
Bosso will once again be without long-serving captain and goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda due to injury, with Reward Muza expected to start ahead of Raphael Pitisi. Defender Talent Dube is also sidelined, adding to Kaindu's injury woes.
Despite the setbacks, Highlanders will pin their hopes on the in-form attacking duo of Reason Sibanda and Brighton Ncube, supported by a dynamic midfield trio of brothers Mason and McKinnon, alongside Melikhaya Ncube.
Highlanders sit fifth on the PSL log with 18 points from 12 matches - trailing leaders MWOS by eight points. Their record includes four wins, six draws, and two losses - the first of which was against MWOS in the opening round.
Herentals, meanwhile, are enjoying a good run of form and currently occupy fourth place with 19 points. They are unbeaten in their last three matches - having beaten Triangle United, held Caps United to a draw, and most recently stunned defending champions Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Elsewhere this weekend, newly-promoted high-flyers Scottland FC will host struggling Chicken Inn at Rufaro Stadium. Scottland, who held Manica Diamonds to a goalless draw away in Mutare last weekend, will look to pile more misery on the Gamecocks, who are reeling from a 1-0 home loss to Green Fuel.
With the title race heating up, fans can expect another thrilling round of PSL action.
The Bulawayo giants, still nursing the wounds of a missed opportunity last weekend, now face The Students - a side that has proven a consistent thorn in their side. Last season, Herentals overturned a 2-0 deficit to force a draw in Harare before dealing Bosso's title hopes a fatal blow with a 2-1 win at Barbourfields in September.
Highlanders, who are desperate to end their title drought ahead of the club's 100-year anniversary celebrations next year, know they can ill afford further slip-ups.
Speaking ahead of the encounter, head coach Kelvin Kaindu admitted the threat Herentals pose.
"We have not watched them play this season. We're relying on reports from those who've seen them in action. This is a team we couldn't beat last season - they came from behind to draw and later beat us at home," Kaindu said.
"They are not a pushover. They've remained consistent since last season and have picked up points both home and away. We hope to bounce back strongly after the ZPC Kariba loss."
Bosso will once again be without long-serving captain and goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda due to injury, with Reward Muza expected to start ahead of Raphael Pitisi. Defender Talent Dube is also sidelined, adding to Kaindu's injury woes.
Despite the setbacks, Highlanders will pin their hopes on the in-form attacking duo of Reason Sibanda and Brighton Ncube, supported by a dynamic midfield trio of brothers Mason and McKinnon, alongside Melikhaya Ncube.
Highlanders sit fifth on the PSL log with 18 points from 12 matches - trailing leaders MWOS by eight points. Their record includes four wins, six draws, and two losses - the first of which was against MWOS in the opening round.
Herentals, meanwhile, are enjoying a good run of form and currently occupy fourth place with 19 points. They are unbeaten in their last three matches - having beaten Triangle United, held Caps United to a draw, and most recently stunned defending champions Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Elsewhere this weekend, newly-promoted high-flyers Scottland FC will host struggling Chicken Inn at Rufaro Stadium. Scottland, who held Manica Diamonds to a goalless draw away in Mutare last weekend, will look to pile more misery on the Gamecocks, who are reeling from a 1-0 home loss to Green Fuel.
With the title race heating up, fans can expect another thrilling round of PSL action.
Source - newsday
