HIGHLANDERS will be without in-form striker Prince Dube when they play bruised Harare City tomorrow at Barbourfields Stadium.
Dube is part of the national Under-20 side that takes on Cameroon in a 2017 Africa Under-20 Championships qualifier tomorrow in Harare.
The Bosso striker who has banged three goals in six games missed the Young Warriors’ preliminary round qualifiers against Botswana as he was sorting out his passport. Besides the three goals, Dube has also had three assists.
His unavailability means that Bosso’s attacking options will be pinned on Knox Mutizwa and veteran Ralph Matema who is coming from an injury. Matema was a second half substitute in the 4-1 annihilation of league debutants Ngezi Platinum last Saturday.
Highlanders’ strikers Dube and Mutizwa have contributed eight out of Highlanders’ 12 goals.
Bosso are the league’s best scorers and Matema is expected to fill the void left by Dube with ease.
“Ralph is 90 to 95 percent fit and is available while Prince is with the national team. Bruce Kangwa is subject to a late fitness test," said coach Erol Akbay.
Highlanders who are on second position on the log, three points behind leaders FC Platinum who have amassed 16 points, have every reason to fight for a win.
They now have 12 goals compared to only three at the same stage last season, and this feat will give them the wherewithal to emerge victorious in today's league match.