Both teams are coming into this match with morale at its lowest ebb as Bosso allowed Shooting Stars to force a one-all draw in the dying stages of the match in Bulawayo while DeMbare lost 1-0 to Masvingo United last Sunday.
The stage is set for a bruising battle between the two clubs after Bosso beat the Glamour Boys 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out in the Independence Cup on April 18 before the two clubs settled for a goalless draw in their first league encounter in Bulawayo in the same month.
But DeMbare assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya made their intentions clear, that they have to beat Bosso at all costs to keep up with the leading pack.“We have prepared for the match, taking into consideration the mistakes that saw us go down in Masvingo. We are happy Washy (Washington Arubi) and Cuthy (Cuthbert Malajila) are back. However, as DeMbare, we do not thrive on individualism but believe in teamwork. We need to rediscover that winning formula and maintain pressure on FC Platinum,” Ndiraya said.
Captain Desmond Maringwa is set to be on the sidelines until the end of the season with Benard Benati set to miss the encounter due to a bout of flu. Highlanders dreadlocked coach Mkhuphali Masuku will bank on captain Gilbert Banda who is making a comeback from an injury, Arnold Tshuma, Rahman Kutsanzira and Graham Ncube, who is set to partner Vincent Nzombe upfront.
DeMbare moved from fourth position to second after collecting 15 points in a row after new head coach Callisto Pasuwa took over from Lloyd Mutasa, despite losing their last league match at the hands of Masvingo United at Mucheke last weekend. Bosso slipped from third position to fifth after a string of poor results allowing DeMbare and Hwange to dislodge them.
Bosso and DeMbare will be meeting for the 24th time in the premiership since 2000, in an era that DeMbare has shown dominance over Bosso. Out of the 23 league matches, DeMbare have won nine, while Bosso have only won five encounters with the remaining nine ending in draws.
Meanwhile, Kiglon Bird will welcome Masvingo United at Gwanzura with the Mighty Bulls who have been finding the going tough travelling all the way to Shabanie for a date against Shabanie Mine.
