Football
Simba Mushati, Special to ESPN 6y

Chicken Inn threaten Highlanders' unbeaten run

Highlanders' unbeaten start to the 2018 Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League season will be tested on Sunday when they host a wounded Chicken Inn at Barbourfields Stadium.

The visitors suffered their first loss of the campaign after going down 1-0 at log leaders Ngezi last week, and they will most certainly be determined to avoid a potentially catastrophic second consecutive defeat.

The Bulawayo derby is the highlight of a matchday 6, which also sees struggling giants Dynamos host Yadah FC as they search for a first win of the season, with their three losses and two draws having left them languishing at the wrong end of the table.

Ngezi meanwhile visit Shabanie Mine eyeing a sixth straight win, while CAPS United, also unbeaten in five matches, have a tricky tie away to Triangle.

Another interesting fixture pits champions FC Platinum in second place against a Harare City team who remain among the five sides still to taste defeat.

The big one though is set for Bulawayo on Sunday, with returning Highlanders boss Madinda Ndlovu eager to ensure his youthful team sustain their early season momentum and avoid defeat against one of the title favourites.

Highlanders have surprised many with their positive start to life under Ndlovu, showing no ill effects whatsoever from the massive overhaul the former Warriors forward instituted upon taking over at the beginning of the year.

Ndlovu discarded a host of experienced players in order to open up space for the team's fledgling stars, and while that decision has so far proved a masterstroke, one of those shown the exit could yet return to haunt Bosso on Sunday afternoon.

On so many occasions, veteran midfielder Simon Munawa often proved a match winner during his spell at Highlanders, with his knack for scoring from range salvaging many an afternoon.

The veteran midfielder has slotted in seamlessly at Chicken Inn after leaving Bosso and will be motivated to show he remains a force when he comes up against his former paymasters.

In fact, unlike Highlanders, Chicken Inn are a team of seasoned veterans, with their starting 11 often including the likes of Moses Jackson (36), Clement Matawu (36), Obadiah Tarumbwa (32) Christopher Samakwere (29), Daryl Nyandoro (29) and Passmore Bernard (29).

The 2015 champions are among the title favourites again this time around, but they find themselves in a spot of bother going into battle against inform Highlanders straight after the dispiriting last minute defeat at Ngezi.

Highlanders have several youthful prospects to rely on, with the departures of Munawa and company having opened up space for more regular action for the likes of midfielders Brian Banda, Adrian Silla, and Godfrey Makaruse.

However, this Highlanders side is not as inexperienced as may have been suggested, with only Nigel Makumbe and Ben Musaka are in their debut top-flight season among the regular starters.

Banda (22), Silla (22) and Makaruse (21), for instance, have gained valuable experience as squad players over the last three or so seasons.

Defender Honest Moyo, Peter Muduhwa and MacClive Phiri are established veterans, and the same goes for forwards Ozias Zibande, Newman Sianchali and Gabriel Nyoni.

Clearly, Ndlovu has been pragmatic enough to realise that those young players promoted from the club's youth ranks this year will need time to acclimatise before they are ready for the bigger tests to come.

True enough, Highlanders have done well to win four and draw one of their first five matches, yet the match against Chicken Inn represents their first real test of the campaign.

Nldovu has repeatedly played down his team's chances of challenging for the title this year, but a positive result against Chicken Inn would fire up those supporters already dreaming of a successful campaign.

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