Sports / Local
Highlanders are under pressure
23 May 2012 at 04:37hrs | Views
SHABANIE Mine coach Luke Masomere believes Highlanders will be under pressure to maintain their good run when the two sides clash in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Maglas Stadium this afternoon.
The Bulawayo giants, who are at the top of the log with 19 points from seven outings, are yet to lose, having dropped two points last month when they played to a one-all draw against Buffaloes in Mutare.
Under Kelvin Kaindu, Highlanders have become a fright for many clubs with their attacking game, making teams that they are yet to meet shiver.
Going for today's game Masomere should be wary of Bosso who they beat 2-0 in their last meeting at Maglas Stadium last year. Then, Shabanie Mine were fighting relegation and got their goals from Rowan Nenzou and Michael Mageja.
The two players have since left the Chinda Boys with Nenzou joining town rivals FC Platinum while Mageja is at Hardbody in Gweru.
What the Shabanie Mine coach seems to be aware of is that the Highlanders they play against today is rejuvenated and they are a team to beat.
Declaring his team ready for Bosso, Masomere said they were taking the game just like any other encounter.
"While we may talk about us having a good season's start, you cannot take away the fact that Highlanders at the moment are the best team in the league. Actually they are the team to beat and since we are playing them here at home tomorrow (today), we are not under any pressure at all.
They are the ones who will be under pressure, because they will want to maintain the season's record.
"To us, it's just like any other league match," Masomere said.
Highlanders have had a satisfactory away record, having won two of their matches on the road â€" against FC Platinum and Black Mambas - with identical 3-1 scorelines with the other trip to Buffaloes a one-all draw.
On the other hand Shabanie Mine have been resolute at home as they are yet to lose.
In their matches played at Maglas Stadium, the Zvishavane club have managed to collect maximum points against Blue Rangers, whom they beat 2-1, and Hardbody whom they narrowly edged 1-0.
Shabanie Mine have also played two goalless draws - against the country's giants Caps United and Dynamos â€" at home.
In their eight encounters, Shabanie Mine, who are fourth on the log and trail Bosso by four points, have managed to score 10 goals in eight games and conceded five.
Kaindu was hopeful that their supporters would rally behind them at Maglas this afternoon. He said he would be out for maximum points.
The last time Bosso were in Zvishavane this season they beat FC Platinum 3-1 and the Zambian expatriate is confident of a victory today.
"Shabanie Mine are a very good side who are in the top four on the log standings. They have been enjoying a good run and we respect them very much. Like I said before, we are still building a strong team and the good thing is we have stopped conceding and now we have to work on finishing the chances we create," said Kaindu.
Highlanders' defence should keep an eye on their former strikers Tarisai Rukanda and Francis Kanda who have been leading Shabanie Mine's attack. Rukanda scored the solitary goal against Black Mambas in Harare at the weekend.
On loan FC Platinum forward Nelson Mazivisa, Caleb Masocha and ex-Masvingo United hitman Pervington Zimunya are some of the players that Masomere may unleash against Bosso.
Mazivisa is the league's top goalscorer.
The Chinda Boys will be without injured Erea Phiri and former Lancashire Steel winger Raymond Sibanda.
Beavan Chikaka, who got the winner for Bosso against Hwange, will fight with Graham Ncube for the lone striker's role with impressive Mthulisi Maphosa, Milton "Milito" Ncube, Simon Munawa, Heritein Masuku, Peter "Rio" Moyo and Masimba Mambare competing for places in midfield.
At Luveve Stadium, Quelaton and Blue Rangers will clash in a bottom of the league encounter this afternoon.
Quelaton are second from bottom with three points while their opponents anchor the log with two. Both clubs have played eight games.
Chipangano will play host to Monomotapa at the Colliery Stadium this afternoon.
Another exciting fixture is lined up for Rufaro Stadium today where Motor Action will lock horns with Dynamos.
Fixtures
Today: Quelaton v Blue Rangers (Luveve), Hwange v Monomotapa (Colliery), Motor Action v Dynamos (Rufaro), Shabanie Mine v Highlanders (Maglas)
Tomorrow: Caps United v FC Platinum (National Sports Stadium), Harare City v Buffaloes (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Black Mambas (Luveve), Gunners v Hardbody (Lafarge).
The Bulawayo giants, who are at the top of the log with 19 points from seven outings, are yet to lose, having dropped two points last month when they played to a one-all draw against Buffaloes in Mutare.
Under Kelvin Kaindu, Highlanders have become a fright for many clubs with their attacking game, making teams that they are yet to meet shiver.
Going for today's game Masomere should be wary of Bosso who they beat 2-0 in their last meeting at Maglas Stadium last year. Then, Shabanie Mine were fighting relegation and got their goals from Rowan Nenzou and Michael Mageja.
The two players have since left the Chinda Boys with Nenzou joining town rivals FC Platinum while Mageja is at Hardbody in Gweru.
What the Shabanie Mine coach seems to be aware of is that the Highlanders they play against today is rejuvenated and they are a team to beat.
Declaring his team ready for Bosso, Masomere said they were taking the game just like any other encounter.
"While we may talk about us having a good season's start, you cannot take away the fact that Highlanders at the moment are the best team in the league. Actually they are the team to beat and since we are playing them here at home tomorrow (today), we are not under any pressure at all.
They are the ones who will be under pressure, because they will want to maintain the season's record.
"To us, it's just like any other league match," Masomere said.
Highlanders have had a satisfactory away record, having won two of their matches on the road â€" against FC Platinum and Black Mambas - with identical 3-1 scorelines with the other trip to Buffaloes a one-all draw.
On the other hand Shabanie Mine have been resolute at home as they are yet to lose.
In their matches played at Maglas Stadium, the Zvishavane club have managed to collect maximum points against Blue Rangers, whom they beat 2-1, and Hardbody whom they narrowly edged 1-0.
Shabanie Mine have also played two goalless draws - against the country's giants Caps United and Dynamos â€" at home.
In their eight encounters, Shabanie Mine, who are fourth on the log and trail Bosso by four points, have managed to score 10 goals in eight games and conceded five.
Kaindu was hopeful that their supporters would rally behind them at Maglas this afternoon. He said he would be out for maximum points.
The last time Bosso were in Zvishavane this season they beat FC Platinum 3-1 and the Zambian expatriate is confident of a victory today.
"Shabanie Mine are a very good side who are in the top four on the log standings. They have been enjoying a good run and we respect them very much. Like I said before, we are still building a strong team and the good thing is we have stopped conceding and now we have to work on finishing the chances we create," said Kaindu.
Highlanders' defence should keep an eye on their former strikers Tarisai Rukanda and Francis Kanda who have been leading Shabanie Mine's attack. Rukanda scored the solitary goal against Black Mambas in Harare at the weekend.
On loan FC Platinum forward Nelson Mazivisa, Caleb Masocha and ex-Masvingo United hitman Pervington Zimunya are some of the players that Masomere may unleash against Bosso.
Mazivisa is the league's top goalscorer.
The Chinda Boys will be without injured Erea Phiri and former Lancashire Steel winger Raymond Sibanda.
Beavan Chikaka, who got the winner for Bosso against Hwange, will fight with Graham Ncube for the lone striker's role with impressive Mthulisi Maphosa, Milton "Milito" Ncube, Simon Munawa, Heritein Masuku, Peter "Rio" Moyo and Masimba Mambare competing for places in midfield.
At Luveve Stadium, Quelaton and Blue Rangers will clash in a bottom of the league encounter this afternoon.
Quelaton are second from bottom with three points while their opponents anchor the log with two. Both clubs have played eight games.
Chipangano will play host to Monomotapa at the Colliery Stadium this afternoon.
Another exciting fixture is lined up for Rufaro Stadium today where Motor Action will lock horns with Dynamos.
Fixtures
Today: Quelaton v Blue Rangers (Luveve), Hwange v Monomotapa (Colliery), Motor Action v Dynamos (Rufaro), Shabanie Mine v Highlanders (Maglas)
Tomorrow: Caps United v FC Platinum (National Sports Stadium), Harare City v Buffaloes (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Black Mambas (Luveve), Gunners v Hardbody (Lafarge).
Source - chronicle
