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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS coach Kelvin Kaindu wants his team to build on their momentum when they host Triangle at Barbourfields this afternoon needing maximum points to keep alive their championship challenge. Bosso are gunning for a rare League and Cup double after storming into the final of the Mbada Diamonds Cup last Sunday.
Kaindu yesterday said his side, which currently trail log leaders Dynamos and Harare City by a point in the league race, has received renewed confidence to take challenges head-on in their remaining matches.
Bosso twice came from behind to beat Harare City after a penalty shootout at Mandava in the semi-finals of the Mbada Diamonds Cup and are now on the threshold of winning their first major silverware in years.
It appears that result erased the pain of giving away a good chance to bounce back to the top of the table after a 1-1 draw against relegated Motor Action when Kaindu was away in England taking part in a Uefa coaching course.
There is a good feeling in their camp that a seven-year wait for the championship might also come to an end following consistent performances in the last two seasons.
“Morale is high because we are coming from a good win in a game that we thought was very difficult. This obviously boosted our confidence and we are looking forward to build on that momentum,” said Kaindu.
Highlanders have beaten Triangle twice this year following the 2-1 success at Gibbo in the first leg of the league games and the recent 3-2 win in the Mbada Diamonds Cup first round matches.
Bosso were still keeping a keen eye on defensive midfielder Hillary Madzivanyika and defender Dumisani Ndlovu who were injured in their last match.
Chief striker Njabulo Ncube, who was red-carded two weeks ago in the match against Dynamos, will be sitting out his final match suspension this afternoon to leave the coach with Gabriel Nyoni, Master Masitara, Ozias Zibande and Milton Ncube as options to spearhead their attack.
The Bulawayo giants have 48 points from 27 games with Dynamos and City sitting above them on the table on 49 points.
Kaindu believes the race is still on.
“It’s important to win every match now because any of the teams in the top three can change positions. So we have to keep maximum concentration, not only in this game but till Week 30.
“Triangle are a very competitive side with a lot of attacking flair and we respect them for that,” said Kaindu.
Triangle coach Gishon Ntini feels he has unfinished business with Highlanders and yesterday declared that he is aiming to derail the Bulawayo giants’ march. Bosso edged the Premiership newboys 3-2 at Barbourfields in the first round of the Mbada Diamonds Cup two months ago but Ntini felt his side deserved a last-gasp penalty after a clear handball incident in the home team’s penalty area.
Triangle will be back at Barbourfields this afternoon and Ntini yesterday warned the championship contenders should brace themselves for a difficult game.
“We are really looking forward to that game and as you might not know we have unfinished business with Highlanders. I wasn’t happy with the way we lost to them when we met in the first round of the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
“I think we played well and deserved to win that match but with the way the match was handled, we were really disadvantaged. We were treated unfairly and now it’s time to revenge.
“I told my players that we need a positive result there. How they are going to do it, I don’t know but we have done everything in preparation for that match. We also reckon to finish strongly and probably gate-crash into the top four,” said Ntini.
The Lowveld side is riding on an unbeaten run stretching to nine league games having last tasted defeat in July in the 1-3 loss to Buffaloes.
Ntini’s men, who held Dynamos to a 2-2 draw in their last game at Gibbo, have managed four wins and five draws during their good run in which they have scored 22 goals and conceded 10.
Online Reporter