AFTER a long lay-off due to an ankle and knee injury, How Mine midfielder Tawanda Muparati is set to play his first game for the gold miners against Highlanders in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
BY FORTUNE MBELE The 2013 Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year left Dynamos following the expiry of his contract last year, but has not kicked the ball for the gold miners due to nagging injuries after penning a two-year contract with How Mine at the beginning of the season.
He sat on the bench against Highlanders last Sunday when How Mine beat Bosso 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out in the Chibuku Super Cup first round.
His coach, Luke Masomere, yesterday said the attacking midfielder was now fit and would be playing against Highlanders tomorrow.
“Muparati might play against Highlanders. He is fully fit now and let him play one game and you will hear stories. He is one of the best players in the country who has unfortunately been sidelined by injury,” Masomere said.
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The self-professed doctor of football said his skipper, Gilbert Banda, who is facing disciplinary action after an alcohol misdemeanour, would be available for selection if he makes the grade.
“If he makes the grade he will play. He will face disciplinary action, but he is a human being. We all make mistakes and he has admitted he made a mistake. He did not kill anybody. A football decision will be made,” Masomere said.
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However, Masomere predicted a tough match.
“I am found in a position where I am said to be vying for the championship, but we are still taking the same stance. We have our own objective,” he said.
“We had wanted to just end the season on position seven, but with the way my boys are playing, it looks like we will surpass that. Sunday is going to be a tough encounter. Highlanders won’t be in a position to lose to us again and they are doing everything possible to win, but we are equally prepared for the task.”
Highlanders will be missing several players for the tie with King Nadolo and Honest Moyo suspended after accumulating three yellow cards each, while right-back Webster Chingodza, Erick Mudzingwa and Mthulisi Maphosa are out injured.
Douglas Sibanda is not feeling well while Edmore Muzanenhamo is away in Botswana.
Teenage Hadebe is attending trials at Ajax Cape Town in South Africa.
Head coach Bongani Mafu says they have to start winning and improve on their position on the log standings with 13 matches to go to the end of the season.
“The players are aware of what they have to do. We need to be positive, free and adventurous and stop worrying about many things that are happening around us,” Mafu said.
