ASCOT Stadium is the venue of today’s third NetOne OneWallet Cup quarter-final clash between Bulawayo giants Highlanders and How Mine as they take their rivalry to neutral grounds.
The match kicks off at 1300hrs and is live on SuperSport 9.
This is the second clash of the two teams this year — Highlanders won the league encounter 2-1 at Barbourfields two weeks ago in a match that How Mine dominated, but found Bosso goalkeeper Arial Sibanda in an uncompromising mood.
It was in that match that How Mine attempted a half time ritual at the Highlanders goal-line at the Soweto Stand that saw missiles being thrown at their players as issues of juju took centre stage once again.
In cup competitions, Highlanders thumped How Mine 3-0 in last year’s Mbada Diamonds Cup final. Before then, Highlanders had lost twice 2-1 and 1-0 in the league encounters.
But with a handsome pay cheque of $80 000 for just 270 minutes of play, the stakes have been raised and this surely is set to be an explosive match on the uneven Ascot pitch. Had the match been at Barbourfields, the best game of the season could have been witnessed.
Ascot Stadium is 156km from Bulawayo and this is a journey that the Highlanders faithful will make with ease to back their team to add to the numbers as they also have a large following in Gweru and nearby Zvishavane, Shurugwi, Kwekwe, Insiza and Filabusi.
How Mine will miss key midfield man Menard Mupera in this match while Highlanders will have Joel Ngodzo in the thick of things in that vital department.
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But still they have players who can turn the game around in the mould of their former player Gilbert Banda, Kuda Musharu, who has eight goals this season, Timothy January, Nyasha Mukumbi and skipper George Magariro.
Coach Philani Ncube returns to the bench after missing two matches due to the CAF A Licence course and will be desperate for a win.
He told our sister paper, Southern Eye: “We are playing at a neutral venue, but it is still a derby. So far they have beaten us in the Mbada (Diamonds Cup) final and the league match and they are better off than us. We will be happy if by the end of the day we emerge winners.”
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu has seen his charges string three wins in a row for the first time this season and open a three -point gap at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League standings, but remains cautious.
“It will be a tricky tie after beating them twice they will be out to gain leverage and better their last performance.
“The fact that we will be playing away will not affect us. Maybe the surface of the pitch might alter our style of play but we will manage,” said the former Zanaco of Zambia striker.
Welcome Ndiweni is back from suspension while ageless midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa will also be fighting for a starting place after a two-month lay-off.
Leading scorer Charles Sibanda, with 10 goals this season, remains the key Bosso player while the hard-running pair of Valentine Ndaba and Gabriel Nyoni will provide the necessary bite in the Highlanders attack.
