HIGHLANDERS FC head coach Kelvin Kaindu says Hwange FC’s current top form is not something to brush aside when the two sides clash in a top-of-the-table Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium today.
FORTUNE MBELE
Hwange, the only team that managed to retain most of their players from last season, have had a trail-blazing start to the league this year, crushing Buffaloes 5-1 at the Colliery in their first match and staging a dramatic comeback to beat FC Platinum 3-2 from 2-0 at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane.
Last week, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Triangle at the Colliery.
Hwange have banged in nine goals in three matches with Rodwell Chinyengetere grabbing a brace in the 5-1 win over Buffaloes and the equalizer against Triangle while Aleck Marime notched a brace in Mandava.
Kaindu yesterday said it will not be easy beating the coalminers. “Everything has been going on well. We cannot complain but it is not going to be easy if you look at the way that they [Hwange] have picked up form. Since 2012 we have been beating them home and away on a slim 1-0 score line and they are always giving us a good run for our money.
“We have a lot of respect for them. We go into the game with a healthy squad save for Gabriel [Nyoni] who is in plaster. Everyone is geared up for the game,” Kaindu said.
Bosso have had a fair start to the season as well, starting with a goalless draw against Chapungu in Gweru before beating Shabanie Mine 4-1 at Chiredzi FC 3-0.
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Milton Ncube, Kuda Mahachi, Knox Mutizwa, Ozias Zibande and Charles Sibanda have scored a goal each with the other two coming spot kicks by goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya.
Hwange have not beaten Bosso in the league since 2012 but head coach Nation Dube is hopeful that he will collect maximum points this afternoon.
“Last year was last year and we take each game as it comes. We are taking a different approach. Highlanders can be one of the biggest clubs, but we are in the same league and there are no small or big teams,” Dube said.
Other players that could trouble Highlanders today are the overlapping right-back Erick Chipeta, the young Tafara Chese while the coalminers also have in camp Farai Vimisayi, Isaac Masame and veteran Gilbert Zulu.
It’s the battle for the top spot on the log-standings before Highlanders take on Chicken Inn in the second Bulawayo derby and Hwange host Black Rhinos at the Colliery in their next assignments.
