Highlanders, Tsholotsho face off in Bulawayo derby

Sport
Resurgent Bulawayo giants Highlanders are hoping to continue with their current fine form when they come face-to-face with relegation-fighting Tsholotsho in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields this afternoon.

Resurgent Bulawayo giants Highlanders are hoping to continue with their current fine form when they come face-to-face with relegation-fighting Tsholotsho in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields this afternoon.

BY FORTUNE MBELE

Bosso seem to have awakened from a deep sleep, having recorded three successive wins in both league and cup matches.

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Highlanders beat Buffaloes 1-0 with a last-minute gasp goal by Knox Mutizwa at BF, before booting FC Platinum out of the Net-One Easycall Cup quarter-final away at Mandava.

They took their winning streak to Hwange in the midweek fixture, where they clobbered the hosts 4-2.

After the impressive run, technical adviser Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu is convinced Bosso has what it takes.

Zulu said they were not doing any favours for Tsholotsho and they would field their strongest squad.

“We are not doing anyone any favour. If they [Tsholotsho] are going to beat us, they must play better than what FC Platinum and Hwange did. Tsholotsho has good coaches in [Lizwe] Sweswe and [Bongani] Mafu. Mafu knows a lot about us, which we don’t know about Tsholotsho and it is not going to be easy,” Zulu said.

Mutizwa is on song and looks set to pick up the Golden Boot award after getting his 14th goal when he scored a brace against Hwange on Wednesday, with returning striker Ralph Matema getting the other two goals.

Tsholotsho need to win their last two matches against Highlanders and Harare City for them to have yet another dance in the top-flight league.

They go into the match against Highlanders on position 12 with 30 points, a point above Buffaloes who are away to Triangle at Gibbo.

Sweswe has not lost in the last five matches — winning two matches against Hwange and WhaWha and playing three draws against FC Platinum, Buffaloes and Chicken Inn.

“The boys now have self-belief. That is why we have not lost in the last five games, but it is going to be a tough match against Highlanders. We have to win the last two games to remain in the Premier League,” Sweswe said.

Tsholotsho are without striker Kudzanai Machazane, who is on suspension.