Sports / Local
BF comes to a standstill
26 Apr 2014 at 19:42hrs | Views
BARBOURFIELDS Stadium comes to a virtual standstill tomorrow afternoon when Bulawayo giants Highlanders take on a tricky Hwange in a potentially thrilling Castle Lager Premiership League match.
Both sides are sitting on seven points after a draw and two wins in the three matches that they have played so far with Highlanders on top of the log standings by virtue of a superior goal difference.
Bosso have hit the nets seven times, conceding just once while Hwange have been the most lethal team in the Premier Soccer League, hitting the nets eight times. They are however second after they conceded four goals in three matches, something that must worry Nation Dube as he comes to Bulawayo tomorrow.
Chipangano who are determined to win tomorrow's game, went into an early secret camp this week, 50km away from the coal mining town.
Highlanders assistant coach Mark Mathe, said they will approach the game cautiously but will utilise the home ground advantage hoping the 12th player will carry the day.
He said he was aware that the match is not going to be an easy one but was confident of a positive result.
"It's not going to be an easy game, make no mistake about that. Hwange have started the season well and would certainly want to continue," said Mathe who has been in charge of the team in the absence of head coach Kelvin Kaindu who returned to Bulawayo on Thursday night.
Mathe said they would not however give any respect to the coal miners, who are set to bank on their midfield, arguably one of the strongest in the league. They have the returning Ronald Chinyengetere, the resurrected Farai Vimisai as well as Isaac Masame. Aleck Marime has been on top form as well and could cause a few anxious moments for the Highlanders rearguard.
"We go into battle looking for maximum points as our aim is to continue winning," he said.
Mathe reported a clean bill of health. Bosso are likely to retain most of the boys who played when they beat Chiredzi 3-0 on Easter Monday and that will see Munyaradzi Diya guarding the sticks with Bruce Kangwa and Simon Munawa operating from the left and right back positions respectively.
Erick Mudzingwa will play in front of central defence of skipper Innocent Mapuranga and Dumisani Fazo Ndlovu. The departure of Masimba Mambare should not be a worry as young Knox Mutizwa has really been a revelation in the three games played so far.
Meanwhile, former Hwange secretary Charles Nyala has rallied behind the coal- miners and remained confident that the boys have all the potential of causing a major upset.
"Bulawayo might be left in mourning tomorrow because these boys are playing excellent football," said Nyala.
His worry he said was the rate at which they have been conceding goals.
Action though starts this afternoon at Luveve Stadium where Bantu Rovers take on Chapungu, one of the five teams in the league yet to lose a match.
Tshintsha Guluva are still smarting from an 1-3 defeat to champions Dynamos and the Chapungu match presents them with a perfect opportunity to get back on track.
Their hopes are pinned on youngsters, Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Bukhosi Sibanda, and midfielder Emmanuel Dube who outshone the more experienced Dynamos midfielders on Monday.
Goalkeeper Brighton "16 Minutes" Chipula should avoid childish stunts that cost them maximum points last week.
Champions Dynamos return to the National Sports Stadium, where they are yet to win, for a match against a winless and struggling Harare City tomorrow.
Coach Bigboy Mawiwi is under pressure to start picking up points.
Fixtures:
Today:FC Platinum vs Caps United FC Mandava Stadium 1500hrsBlack Rhinos FC vs Chiredzi FC Rimuka Stadium 1500hrs SSBantu Rovers FC vs Chapungu FC Luveve Stadium 1500hrs
Tomorrow:Highlanders FC vs Hwange FC Barbourfields Stadium 1500hrsTriangle United FC vs Chicken Inn FC Gibbo Stadium 1500hrsDynamos FC vs Harare City FC National Sports Stadium 1500hrs SSBuffaloes FC vs ZPC Kariba FC Sakubva Stadium 1500hrs
Both sides are sitting on seven points after a draw and two wins in the three matches that they have played so far with Highlanders on top of the log standings by virtue of a superior goal difference.
Bosso have hit the nets seven times, conceding just once while Hwange have been the most lethal team in the Premier Soccer League, hitting the nets eight times. They are however second after they conceded four goals in three matches, something that must worry Nation Dube as he comes to Bulawayo tomorrow.
Chipangano who are determined to win tomorrow's game, went into an early secret camp this week, 50km away from the coal mining town.
Highlanders assistant coach Mark Mathe, said they will approach the game cautiously but will utilise the home ground advantage hoping the 12th player will carry the day.
He said he was aware that the match is not going to be an easy one but was confident of a positive result.
"It's not going to be an easy game, make no mistake about that. Hwange have started the season well and would certainly want to continue," said Mathe who has been in charge of the team in the absence of head coach Kelvin Kaindu who returned to Bulawayo on Thursday night.
Mathe said they would not however give any respect to the coal miners, who are set to bank on their midfield, arguably one of the strongest in the league. They have the returning Ronald Chinyengetere, the resurrected Farai Vimisai as well as Isaac Masame. Aleck Marime has been on top form as well and could cause a few anxious moments for the Highlanders rearguard.
"We go into battle looking for maximum points as our aim is to continue winning," he said.
Mathe reported a clean bill of health. Bosso are likely to retain most of the boys who played when they beat Chiredzi 3-0 on Easter Monday and that will see Munyaradzi Diya guarding the sticks with Bruce Kangwa and Simon Munawa operating from the left and right back positions respectively.
Erick Mudzingwa will play in front of central defence of skipper Innocent Mapuranga and Dumisani Fazo Ndlovu. The departure of Masimba Mambare should not be a worry as young Knox Mutizwa has really been a revelation in the three games played so far.
Meanwhile, former Hwange secretary Charles Nyala has rallied behind the coal- miners and remained confident that the boys have all the potential of causing a major upset.
"Bulawayo might be left in mourning tomorrow because these boys are playing excellent football," said Nyala.
His worry he said was the rate at which they have been conceding goals.
Action though starts this afternoon at Luveve Stadium where Bantu Rovers take on Chapungu, one of the five teams in the league yet to lose a match.
Tshintsha Guluva are still smarting from an 1-3 defeat to champions Dynamos and the Chapungu match presents them with a perfect opportunity to get back on track.
Their hopes are pinned on youngsters, Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Bukhosi Sibanda, and midfielder Emmanuel Dube who outshone the more experienced Dynamos midfielders on Monday.
Goalkeeper Brighton "16 Minutes" Chipula should avoid childish stunts that cost them maximum points last week.
Champions Dynamos return to the National Sports Stadium, where they are yet to win, for a match against a winless and struggling Harare City tomorrow.
Coach Bigboy Mawiwi is under pressure to start picking up points.
Fixtures:
Today:FC Platinum vs Caps United FC Mandava Stadium 1500hrsBlack Rhinos FC vs Chiredzi FC Rimuka Stadium 1500hrs SSBantu Rovers FC vs Chapungu FC Luveve Stadium 1500hrs
Tomorrow:Highlanders FC vs Hwange FC Barbourfields Stadium 1500hrsTriangle United FC vs Chicken Inn FC Gibbo Stadium 1500hrsDynamos FC vs Harare City FC National Sports Stadium 1500hrs SSBuffaloes FC vs ZPC Kariba FC Sakubva Stadium 1500hrs
Source - chronicle
