The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Saturday, September 8, 1991 — Fitness problems could be the biggest drawback for troubled Zimbabwe Saints in their clash with archrivals and holders Highlanders in a Zifa Cup first leg quarter-final soccer match at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.

Saints, beset with internal squabblings, were last in action on August 17 when they whipped lower division team DMB Norton 4-0 in the second round of the same competition at Barbourfields. After this victory the scene at Saints shifted from the field to the boardroom where supporters have tried to oust the executive committee led by Maxwell Kutsanzira for its poor performance this season. The once mighty team has sunk to the bottom of the 12-team Super League log.

This apart, tomorrow’s match will be a test for either team. Highlanders on their part have not shown any of their usual sparkle as cup contenders.

If Highlanders’ showing in their last two league encounters which, effectively buried any hopes they may have entertained of retaining the league championship is anything to go by, then tomorrow’s encounter should be a closely fought match.

The Bulawayo “warriors’’ had their tails between their legs after being shocked 0-1 by relegationhaunted Darryn T in their own home ground a fortnight ago. Last Sunday, Highlanders were on the receiving end again, this time at the hands of Black Rhinos at Rudhaka Stadium. They lost 1-2.

Highlanders will be hoping that key players — midfielder Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo and striker Madinda Ndlovu — will be back in action after missing the team’s last matches because of injuries.