PSL PREVIEW: Highlanders target Gamecocks in Bulawayo derby

By Staff Reporter

BULAWAYO giants, Highlanders will be looking to cast away a bad spell when they face off against cross town rivals Chicken Inn at Barbourfields on Sunday.

Despite their long running dominance, Bosso have repeatedly failed to get past Chicken Inn who are proving to be their bogey side.

Chicken Inn have dominated Highlanders in the last 10 matches between the two sides, winning four, drawing four and losing two encounters.

In a season that Bosso has displayed scintillating performances coupled with hunger and determination, they have still failed to beat the Gamecocks.

Highlanders and Chicken Inn played to a goalless stalemate in April in a match that provided everything except the ball hitting the nets.

Bosso have made clear their ambition to end its Castle Lager Premier Soccer League drought  a trophy which it last clinched in 2006.

Coming off a defeat at the hands of FC Platinum, Highlanders coach Baltemar Brito said his players are psyched up for the encounter against Chicken Inn.

“So the preparations for the Chicken Inn FC game come after a defeat. It was not a stable week; (but) we are not cry-babies,” said Brito.

“We missed some training sessions owing to the elections but we knew we were playing FC Platinum and we needed to be ready.

“We came back sad but it was expected because they are a good team. We don’t lose motivation going into the next game. We will try to bring back the consistency that saw us unbeaten in 19 games.”

Meanwhile, Black Rhinos, who anchor the league table face CAPS United at Bata Stadium in Gweru looking to begin its fight to save face in the PSL.

Rhinos’ struggles are well documented as they have won just three games in 20 matches. They take on the Lloyd Chitembwe coached CAPS who are also struggling with inconsistence form.

Elsewhere, Dynamos takes on an unpredictable army side Cranborne Bullets looking to continue their unbeaten run since the appointment, on an interim basis, of Genesis Mangombe who replaced Herbet Maruwa.

DeMbare are coming off a draw against Simba Bhora in Bulawayo last week.

In other games, defending champions FC Platinum will be aiming to build on their win against Highlanders when they travel to Luveve for a clash with Bulawayo Chiefs.

WEEKEND FIXTURES IN FULL

SATURDAY: Bulawayo Chiefs vs FC Platinum, Sheesham vs Hwange, Simba Bhora vs Yadah, Cranborne Bullets vs Dynamos, Herentals College vs Ngezi Platinum Stars, Manica Diamonds vs Green Fuel

SUNDAY: Highlanders vs Chicken Inn, Triangle United vs ZPC Kariba, CAPS United vs Black Rhinos