Mwaruwari to miss Highlanders-Chicken Inn clash through illness

Highlanders coach Benjani Mwaruwari will miss the meeting with Chicken Inn after falling ill and spending several hours in hospital. The fixture is scheduled for 19 August 2026, with the coach expected to remain away from the bench as he rests and recovers.

Mwaruwari’s illness has not been disclosed. Highlanders acting chairman Kindman Ndlovu confirmed that the coach had received treatment at a local health facility before being advised to take time away from his duties.

First assistant coach Mkhokheli Dube will lead Highlanders in Mwaruwari’s absence. Dube will therefore be responsible for the team during the fixture against Chicken Inn.

Chicken Inn occupy 10th place in the 2026 Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League with 33 points from 25 matches. Their record stands at nine wins, six draws and 10 defeats, with 19 goals scored and 22 conceded.

The Bulawayo side began their latest run with three successive victories, beating TelOne 1-0, Hunters 1-0 and Manica Diamonds 2-1. That sequence was followed by defeats to Ngezi Platinum, who won 3-2, and Hardrock, who recorded a 2-0 victory.

The recent losses have interrupted Chicken Inn’s earlier winning spell, while their position in the table leaves them with ground to recover. Highlanders will face the fixture without Mwaruwari on the bench, with Dube stepping in to oversee the team.