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NewsDay

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Makonese bounces back

Sport
Former Zimbabwe international and Orlando Pirates defender Zvenyika Makonese is likely to make his return to domestic action for Shabanie Mine in the BancABC Sup8r Cup semi-final clash against Highlanders FC at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday. Makonese was signed by his former team in time to beat the transfer window period that closed on Sunday. […]

Former Zimbabwe international and Orlando Pirates defender Zvenyika Makonese is likely to make his return to domestic action for Shabanie Mine in the BancABC Sup8r Cup semi-final clash against Highlanders FC at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.

Makonese was signed by his former team in time to beat the transfer window period that closed on Sunday.

Head coach Luke Masomere who joined Shabanie Mine last week said the veteran defender is not guaranteed a first-team place as he has to prove he deserves it.

“Makonese is a good player who is going to provide us with experience and depth. However, he should fight very hard because it will not be an automatic entry for him. It is good that we have a player of his calibre in the team. But he has to fight for his position,” he said.

Masomere said they respected Highlanders and they would play the match very cautiously.

“We have no injuries in the team and we are raring to go. Highlanders are a good team and they can be a hard nut to crack, especially at Barbourfields Stadium. We go into the match as underdogs, but we are looking forward to the game,” he said.

Highlanders coach Mkhuphali Masuku said they were equally prepared for the semi-final tie.

“Our preparations for the game are going on very well. We are training very hard and everyone is ready for selection, with the exception of Lawson Nkomo who was red-carded in the quarter-final against Caps United,” he said.

The Chinda Boys’ hopes will be pinned on Tarisai Rukanda, Caleb Masocha and Michael Mageja for goals. Rukanda will fancy scoring against his former paymasters Highlanders.

Masomere has options in Rodney Mware, Boniface Dimanji, Smart Muchabaiwa, Jonathan Chitereke and anchorman Simon Shoko. Roy Mazingi will be expected to keep a clean sheet in goals for Shabanie Mine.

Elasto Bakacheza, Tafadzwa Mombeshora and experienced Rowan Nenzou might come in handy for Shabanie Mine.

Highlanders will rely on inspirational captain Gilbert Banda, Innocent Mapuranga, veteran Gift Lunga and Bruce Tshuma. First-choice goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda is likely to get the number one jersey.

Upfront Vincent Nzombe, Graham Ncube and Bruce Kangwa will expect to be supplied with clean passes by Louis Matawu who scored in the last league match against Zimbabwe Saints.

Highlanders welcome back midfielder Eric Mudzingwa, who had been out through injury.

Shabanie Mine last won a cup game when they stunned Dynamos 1-0 in the BP Cup more than a decade ago. The late Shabanie Mine striker Thomas Makwasha scored the solitary goal that sank Dynamos in the Cup.

Highlanders will be seeking their second piece of silverware of the season after clinching the Independence Cup in April.

Bosso beat Caps United 1-0 at Baghdad Stadium while Shabanie Mine sent Gunners out of the competition beating them 1-0.

The two teams were drawn against each other in Bulawayo last month.

The winner of the tie will meet Motor Action in the final.