Sports / Soccer
Bosso must stop ZPC dominance, says Kutsanzira
25 Jun 2016 at 04:15hrs | Views
IN-FORM Highlanders winger Rahman Kutsanzira believes time has come for the Bulawayo giants to put a stop to the dominance of ZPC Kariba when the two sides meet at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
Since their entry into the elite league, the electricity men have made a mockery of their more illustrious and battle hardened opponents and are the sole reason why Highlanders parted ways with their Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu in September 2014 following a 1-3 loss that saw fans turn against their own players and coach at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds.
The two sides had drawn 1-1 in the reverse fixture.
Last season, Highlanders lost the first encounter 0-2 on the road before succumbing to a 0-1 loss at home.
Kutsanzira though, believes tomorrow's match gives Highlanders an opportunity to put an end to that dominance but also reckons that they must work extra hard for them to achieve that feat.
"Enough is enough, they have been dominating us for long now and we need to put a stop to that, however I also know that its going to be a tough game but this is football, no one has a right to continue dominating another, we saw it in Harare recently," said Kutsanzira who has been enjoying a rich vein of form on the wings and was unfortunate to pick up an injury in the 2-0 win over How Mine last Sunday.
Bosso are most certain to start with the same team that did duty on Wednesday although midfielder Simon Munawa needs to come to the party and do what he is supposed to do in that department.
He also seems to be lazy to chase back when he loses possession, which he does more often and that tends to put his teammates under unnecessary pressure.
In defence, skipper Felix Chindungwe, who has so far commanded his troops like a true general, will be partnered by Peter "Govheya" Muduhwa who had a brilliant game against Border Strikers on Wednesday while steady Benson Phiri will keep his place on the right side of defence with Honest Moyo taking care of business on the left.
With experienced wing players like Limited Chikafa, Phiri and Moyo need to time their overlapping runs to avoid being caught on the wrong side.
Njabulo Nyoni is almost certain to keep his starting place in goal ahead of Ariel Sibanda.
The midfield department will be marshalled by Erick Mudzingwa, leading club and league scorer Bruce Kangwa , King Nadolo if he recovers following a knock but if he does not, coach Erol Akbay might decide to throw in Tendai Ngulube. Young Prince Dube, so full of running in the last game, will partner South Africa-bound Knox Mutizwa to complete a formidable starting 11 for Highlanders. Mutizwa might want to bid the Highlanders supporters farewell in style and that can only mean him finding the back of the net.
Meanwhile, ZPC Kariba coach Sunday Chidzambwa says they will not pay much attention to Kangwa as Highlanders have a number of players capable of giving him serious problems.
He said they will approach Highlanders as a team.
"They are different from the Highlanders teams of the past where you knew they had the likes of Peter Ndlovu. They had many stars in the team. I feel this one has mastered the art of playing as a unit and that makes them very dangerous," said the veteran gaffer who has survived many battles.
In Tineyi Chitora, Tawanda Nyamandwe and Osborn Mukuradare, ZPC Kariba have the attacking arsenal to cause anxious moments for Highlanders. They also have seasoned players like Elvis Meleka, former Highlanders midfielder Protasho Kabwe and Never Tigere while in defence Thomas Sweswe and Lincolin Zvasiya have all the experience needed to thwart Bosso attacks.
Highlanders and ZPC log table
P W D L F A Pts
ZPC Kariba 4 3 1 0 7 2 10
Highlanders 4 0 1 3 2 7 1
Since their entry into the elite league, the electricity men have made a mockery of their more illustrious and battle hardened opponents and are the sole reason why Highlanders parted ways with their Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu in September 2014 following a 1-3 loss that saw fans turn against their own players and coach at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds.
The two sides had drawn 1-1 in the reverse fixture.
Last season, Highlanders lost the first encounter 0-2 on the road before succumbing to a 0-1 loss at home.
Kutsanzira though, believes tomorrow's match gives Highlanders an opportunity to put an end to that dominance but also reckons that they must work extra hard for them to achieve that feat.
"Enough is enough, they have been dominating us for long now and we need to put a stop to that, however I also know that its going to be a tough game but this is football, no one has a right to continue dominating another, we saw it in Harare recently," said Kutsanzira who has been enjoying a rich vein of form on the wings and was unfortunate to pick up an injury in the 2-0 win over How Mine last Sunday.
Bosso are most certain to start with the same team that did duty on Wednesday although midfielder Simon Munawa needs to come to the party and do what he is supposed to do in that department.
He also seems to be lazy to chase back when he loses possession, which he does more often and that tends to put his teammates under unnecessary pressure.
In defence, skipper Felix Chindungwe, who has so far commanded his troops like a true general, will be partnered by Peter "Govheya" Muduhwa who had a brilliant game against Border Strikers on Wednesday while steady Benson Phiri will keep his place on the right side of defence with Honest Moyo taking care of business on the left.
With experienced wing players like Limited Chikafa, Phiri and Moyo need to time their overlapping runs to avoid being caught on the wrong side.
The midfield department will be marshalled by Erick Mudzingwa, leading club and league scorer Bruce Kangwa , King Nadolo if he recovers following a knock but if he does not, coach Erol Akbay might decide to throw in Tendai Ngulube. Young Prince Dube, so full of running in the last game, will partner South Africa-bound Knox Mutizwa to complete a formidable starting 11 for Highlanders. Mutizwa might want to bid the Highlanders supporters farewell in style and that can only mean him finding the back of the net.
Meanwhile, ZPC Kariba coach Sunday Chidzambwa says they will not pay much attention to Kangwa as Highlanders have a number of players capable of giving him serious problems.
He said they will approach Highlanders as a team.
"They are different from the Highlanders teams of the past where you knew they had the likes of Peter Ndlovu. They had many stars in the team. I feel this one has mastered the art of playing as a unit and that makes them very dangerous," said the veteran gaffer who has survived many battles.
In Tineyi Chitora, Tawanda Nyamandwe and Osborn Mukuradare, ZPC Kariba have the attacking arsenal to cause anxious moments for Highlanders. They also have seasoned players like Elvis Meleka, former Highlanders midfielder Protasho Kabwe and Never Tigere while in defence Thomas Sweswe and Lincolin Zvasiya have all the experience needed to thwart Bosso attacks.
Highlanders and ZPC log table
P W D L F A Pts
ZPC Kariba 4 3 1 0 7 2 10
Highlanders 4 0 1 3 2 7 1
Source - chronicle
