HIGHLANDERS could miss four key players, including man of the moment Devine Mhindirira, for the big league game against Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday, with all of them battling ill-health.
Mhindirira put up a stellar performance and scored the solitary goal in the 1-0 win against Bulawayo Chiefs at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday, but has not trained the whole week due to a stomach ailment.
Goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda missed the Bulawayo Chiefs’ tie after he aggravated a groin injury last Saturday and remains doubtful for the Glamour Boys tie, while vice-captain Nqobizitha Masuku is under observation for a possible heart problem.
Defender Mbongeni Ndlovu was pulled out injured in the first half against The Ninjas and has been ruled out of the Sunday match and was replaced by Chrispen Ncube.
Coach Baltemar Brito took some time to explain the challenges faced by the quartet and by yesterday the team was still not certain if Devine would make it.
“Devine has a stomach problem maybe from something that he drank or ate, but he has diarrhoea; he is not training, we will see but we expect him to recover but I am not 100% sure about that,” Brito said.
On Sibanda, he said: “Ariel felt some pain in the groin. He is recovering and we don’t know yet if he will be available for the match.”
The Portuguese national said Masuku has to undergo some tests.
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“Nqo has a health problem. In the Bulawayo Chiefs game, he felt some pain and had breathing problems. We are worried about that situation and we are managing and making the necessary tests to check if it is a cardiac (heart) problem or not,” he said.
He, however, confidently said: “But we will play with eleven players and we are going to be competitive and bring the three points to Bulawayo.”
In the absence of Mhindirira and Masuku in the centre, Brito has able replacements in Darlington Mukuli, Adrian Silla and Muziwakhe Dlamini.
In defence, Ncube will be replacing Ndlovu, but will probably play right-back with Andrew Mbeba moving to partner Peter Muduhwa or Pritchard Mpelele in the centre, while Mbeba remains on the right-back.
Highlanders seek to cement their top-four finish with the last three games, while the Glamour Boys fight for the runners-up spot with Chicken Inn who host Caps United at Luveve Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
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