The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
A “simple boy” born at Chitungwiza Hospital at the turn of the millennium is now often the source of anxiety for away fans, who normally occupy the Mpilo End at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.
Divine Mhindiri was born when Highlanders were still the king of the jungle, after winning a second straight league title.
Bosso went on to win two more titles in 2001 and 2002 to make them four in a row.
The Bulawayo giants would go on to win another title in 2006, which has, sadly, remained their last.
The best they have achieved since then is a second-place finish in 2013.
A top-four finish has even become a tough ask for Highlanders, who last achieved that feat in 2016.
They finished seventh in 2019 with 46 points, just three behind Ngezi Platinum Stars, who occupied fourth position.
However, Bosso currently have 45 points, with six games to go before the 2021/2022 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season ends.
There is fresh impetus at Emagumeni, where many are beginning to talk of a first top-four finish in six years, especially after Bosso were knocked out of this season’s Chibuku Super Cup.
Highlanders were fourth on the log and five points behind third-placed Dynamos after Match Day 27, and will be hoping for some “Divine” intervention, when they host log leaders FC Platinum at Barbourfields this afternoon.
An unheralded and yet gifted midfielder, Divine Mhindirira seems to hold the key to the team’s aspirations.
Many will agree that if Bosso were to provide just one player on the 2022 Soccer Star calendar, it would have to be Mhindirira.
The boy, who was a learner at the modest Zengeza 4 Primary School in Chitungwiza, is now the toast of Bulawayo.
He has played 25 games and has 10 assists, plus two goals.
He has become a vital cog in an impressive Highlanders midfield that usually features vice-captain Nqobizitha Masuku and Adrian Silla or, lately, Darlington Mukuli.
Surprisingly, he is only 21.
He turns 22 on December 22.
“I am a simple boy from Chitungwiza, who just wants to play and enjoy the game,” he told The Sunday Mail Sport last week.
“I have been focusing on my career lately; working hard. However, without my teammates, I wouldn’t be here.
“They have been very supportive.”
Highlanders are on a seven-game unbeaten run in the league.
However, their pedigree comes under serious scrutiny when they host log leaders FC Platinum at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.
The match will be broadcast live on ZTN Prime at 3 pm. FC Platinum have now gone for 15 league matches without tasting defeat. They have picked up 12 wins and three draws, conceding only twice in 1 350 minutes of football.
“FC Platinum are a difficult side but we will try our best. We are looking forward to an outright win so that we cement out chances of finishing in the top four,” Mhindirira said. Bosso have been impressive since the appointment of Brazilian gaffer Baltemar Brito on June 3.
They have played 12 league matches since then, registering seven wins, four draws and one loss.
In that period, Highlanders have managed 25 points out of a possible 36, translating to a 69 percent success rate.
The Brazilian has also changed the fortunes of a number of players in the Highlanders squad.
Godfrey “Godera” Makaruse was converted from a midfielder to a roving wing-back, who is also chipping in with both goals and assists.
Striker Lynoth Chikuhwa is now scoring.
He presently has 10 goals, five behind the league’s leading scorer William Manondo of CAPS United.
Masuku is Highlanders’ second top scorer with five goals, one more than the enterprising Makaruse.
And Mhindirira acknowledges Brito’s impact at Bosso. “Brito has really breathed some life into the club,” he says.
“The environment is refreshing and we are enjoying it.
“There are a lot of things we have learnt as a team from him and he has been giving me the freedom to showcase my talent.”
It will be interesting how Brito will fare against FC Platinum’s Norman Mapeza, by far the best coach in the local premiership.
With 61 points, FC Platinum are firmly in control of the race and well-poised to land a fourth league title on the trot.
They are also the holders of the Chibuku Super Cup, with a chance of adding a third title this season.
The Zvishavane miners are a well-balanced side, with ageless centre-back Gift Bello still providing direction from the back. Former Highlanders linkman Brian “BB” Banda, the underrated Rainsome Pavari and goal machine Walter Musona are also key to Mapeza’s side.
Of course, FC Platinum have goalie of the moment Wallace Magalane, who has 13 clean sheets in 15 league matches.
FC Platinum are yet to lose a league match against Highlanders at BF since October 2, 2013.
The reverse fixture was abandoned at Mandava in April, with Pure Platinum Play getting three points in the boardroom after Highlanders fans were found guilty of causing the premature end of that contest. The last two league meetings at BF between Bosso and Pure Platinum Play ended in stalemates.
