Castle Lager Premier Soccer League giants Highlanders are in an injury crisis ahead of their trip to Chisumbanje where they take on GreenFuel tomorrow.
Their injury list has continued to stretch over the last few weeks after two more players were forced out of their last match owing to knocks.
In the midweek 1-1 draw against Manica Diamonds, coach Kelvin Kaindu was forced to make changes to the backline, pushing Andrew Mbeba to right back and playing Marvelous Chigumira as the left back. Giliian Nyathi played alongside Peter Muduhwa at the heart of the defence.
Mbeba had missed the match against ZPC Kariba at the weekend.
Despite the changes, Kaindu felt the team's performance was improved and they were able to put a halt to Manica Diamonds' winning streak. "We had to make a number of permutations, both our left backs are out injured, and we played a right back on the left and it helped us," Kaindu said.
However, the injury crisis continues to be a major concern for Bosso. Mbeba and Nyathi were both forced out of the Manica Diamonds match injured.
Kaindu was unsure whether Nyathi would make it for tomorrow's match after the head injury.
To make matters worse, one of Bosso's best players, Archiford Faira, has missed three consecutive matches and Godfrey Makaruse, who replaced him at left back, is also doubtful.
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Despite the challenges, Kaindu is optimistic about the team's prospects. "There are still four points that we need to pick up for us to catch up with the teams that are on top of the log," he said.
It remains to be seen if Kaindu will give youngster Prince Ndlovu the opportunity to play behind the strikers, with McKinnon Mushore and Devine Mhindirira struggling to penetrate the opponents in the final third.
Ndlovu's play is more direct and the youngster has assisted twice in the few matches that he has played as winger.
Bosso will be hoping to bounce back from their recent slump in form as they have gone for four matches without victory. However, with a depleted squad, it will be a tough task. They face a GreenFuel side that recently appointed Saul Chaminuka to replace Rodwell Dlakama.
Chaminuka is winless in his first two matches and he will hope that his charges deliver his first victory against Highlanders.
