SMARTING from their second Castle Lager Premier Soccer League defeat to bogey side ZPC Kariba last Saturday, Highlanders host another problem side Herentals at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
The Bulawayo giants gave away a 2-0 lead to settle for a draw against Herentals in Harare last year before The Students shattered Bosso’s title hopes in September when they went to BF in September and claimed a 2-1 victory.
Highlanders are itching for the title this year to spice up the centennial celebrations next year.
Ahead of the weekend match coach Kelvin Kaindu is wary of Herentals.
“We have not watched them play this season. We are relying mostly what we heard from people that have watched them play. This is a team that we failed to beat last season. We blew away a 2-0 lead and they beat us here at BF. They are not a pushover and have been consistent in the way they are playing from last season. They have also managed to pick up points both home and away. We just hope that we get back on our feet after the defeat we got from ZPC Kariba away from home,” Kaindu said.
Skipper Ariel Sibanda is still out nursing an injury and Reward Muza is likely to be in between the sticks ahead of Raphael Pitisi.
Also nursing injuries is left back Talent Dube as Highlanders pin their hopes on the electric combination of strikers Reason Sibanda and Brighton Ncube with the formidable midfield of brothers Mason and Mckinnon and Melikhaya Ncube.
Highlanders are on position five on the log-table with 18 points from 12 games and are eight points behind pacesetters MWOS.
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They have won four times, drew six times and the loss to ZPC Kariba last weekend was their second defeat after falling to MWOS in their first game.
Herentals have gone three matches unbeaten after losing to ambitious Scottland FC, beating Triangle at home and playing a draw to Caps United and are coming from a confidence boosting victory against former champions Ngezi Platinum Stars.
The Students are a just a rung above Highlanders, sitting on position for on the table with 19 points.
Another potential exciting tie is on the cards this after where Scottland host struggling Chicken Inn at Rufaro Stadium.
While Scottland played a goalless draw with Manica Diamonds in Mutare last weekend, Chicken Inn suffered 1-0 home defeat to Green Fuel at Luveve Stadium.
