adminthis year, in the BancABC Sup8r Cup final at Barbourfields on Saturday.
Highlanders have lost back-to-back matches to the Mighty Bulls in the Castle Lager Premiership and team captain Gilbert Banda yesterday said they have put everything behind them and have set their sights on the silverware.
“These guys have beaten us twice this year but I think this time around it will be a different story. Yes, we are the underdogs but we have been working hard to turn this around.
“I think we are up for the challenge and we have a lot of young players coming up. It should be ours this time and we are hoping for the best,” said Banda.
Highlanders, coached by Mkhuphali Masuku, stormed into the finals of the BancABC after beating Shabanie Mine 1-0 in the semi-final at Barbourfields while Motor Action beat holders Dynamos 7-6 in a penalty shootout. Both teams are chasing the BancABC silverware, for the first time since its inception four years ago.
But head-to-head duels favour the Mighty Bulls.
CAPS United were the inaugural winners of the trophy in 2008 and Lengthens and Dynamos won the following two years.
Although Motor Action seem to be firm favorites, cup games are usually difficult to predict.
Banda said this would be a completely new game and believes his teammates were ready for combat.
“We are looking forward to it and we don’t have any pressure,” he said.
“In fact it should be Motor Action who should be feeling the pressure now. We are just happy to be the underdogs.”
Bosso started their campaign on a high note after beating rivals CAPS United 1-0 courtesy of Banda’s strike at Baghdad on June 26.
They then eliminated Shabanie Mine by an identical score to reach the final of the competition for the first time. Joey Antipas’ Motor Action, who are also in the hunt for their second successive Premiership title after reclaiming pole position recently, pulled through at the expense of holders Dynamos and Monomotapa.
The Mighty Bulls were 2-1 victors over Monomotapa at Sakubva through goals from Masimba Mambare and Themba Ndlovu in the quarterfinals. They were held to a goalless draw by DeMbare in the semi-finals but prevailed after the spot kicks.
Meanwhile, Premiership action returns this afternoon when relegation-fighters Black Mambas host Kiglon at Morris Depot in a re-arranged fixture.
Mambas coach John Ncube yesterday said the police outfit are in high spirits following their 3-1 thumping win over Masvingo United at Mucheke on Saturday.
Mambas missed much of the league action in recent weeks because the bulk of their players were away to the Democratic Republic of Congo for the regional police games.
“We had 12 players at the SARPCCO Games and we played a number of matches.
“I am happy the assistant coach Martin Bonongwe has been working with the other players left behind because everyone appears to be in good shape. If I may recall, we lost the first match to Kiglon 2-0 and this is time for revenge.
“Our position in the log tables is not good and we need to collect as many points as we can from our matches,” said Ncube.
Hard-tackling defender Lovemore Maphuya and Innocent Nyoni are unavailable for this match through suspension and could be replaced by Emmanuel Sibanda and Shingirayi Masasa. They hope
young midfield Abbas Amidu, who scored the hattrick that sunk Masvingo, continues with his devastating form.
Mambas are currently fifth from the bottom with 24 points while Kiglon anchor the table with 17.
Rodwell Dhlakama is expected to sit on the Kiglon bench in the absence of head coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe who is in Mozambique with the Mighty Warriors for the All-Africa Games.
Kiglon have hit hard times since week nine when they last collected maximum points in the 2-1 win over Mambas.
They will be hoping to get their campaign back in the track this afternoon with their first win in 12 league games.
Fixtures
Today: Castle Lager Premiership
Black Mambas v Kiglon (Morris Depot)
Saturday: BancABC Final
Highlanders v Motor Action (Barbourfields).
Online Reporter