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Hadebe, Sibanda ruled out of Hwange tie

Sport
HIGHLANDERS will be hoping to continue from where they left last week when they return to their base against Hwange in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium today.

HIGHLANDERS will be hoping to continue from where they left last week when they return to their base against Hwange in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium today.

BY FORTUNE MBELE

Nonetheless, the Bulawayo giants have a defence crisis as Sunday’s scorer against Tsholotsho, Teenage Hadebe, is out with a knee injury while his replacement Douglas Sibanda also sustained an injury during training on Tuesday and has been ruled out of the Hwange tie.

However, coach Bongani Mafu is putting up a brave face.

“Douglas (Sibanda) has a swollen leg. He got injured the day before yesterday (Tuesday) at training while Teenage (Hadebe) is also out after he got injured against Tsholotsho on Sunday. But that does not take anything away from us. We are well prepared and ready for Hwange. We are going to play just like any other game and hope to continue from where we left on Sunday,” Mafu said after yesterday’s morning training session.

After losing their first game 0-2 to ZPC Kariba in Harare, the Bulawayo giants beat Tsholotsho FC 1-0 on Sunday at Emagumeni.

That match produced casualties in the Bosso camp with scorer Hadebe being pulled out in the second half and replaced by Sibanda.

Striker Obadiah Tarumbwa, who has also been ruled out for six weeks, also made way for Welcome Ndiweni five minutes before half time against Tsholotsho.

Striker Thomas Chideu and midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku also got knocks during that game but Mafu yesterday said the two are available for selection.

Erick Mudzingwa could partner skipper Felix Chindungwe in central defence while Welcome Ndiweni could be moved upfront to partner Chideu as strikers with the young Godfrey Makaruse, who sat on the bench against Tsholotsho, another option.

Hwange arrived in Bulawayo yesterday midday and coach Nation Dube says his boys will have to put up a good fight against Bosso.

“As of today (yesterday), everyone in camp is raring to go. I am just waiting to hear from our administrator if he has sourced a training venue for us. It is going to be a tough match against Highlanders. They are a good side that is coming from a win and that must give them the confidence,” Dube said.

The coalminers were held to a 3-3 draw by ZPC Kariba at the Colliery on Sunday after losing their first game 2-5 to Triangle at Gibbo. Hwange are in Bulawayo with veterans Gilbert Zulu, David Boriwondo and Gerald Ndlovu. Also in camp is Aleck Marime, Tafara Chese, Nkosana Siwela, Evans Rusike and defenders Tonisani Sibelo and Munyaradzi Mungadze.