Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS’ assistant coach Bekithemba Ndlovu says they appreciate the fact that Bosso should perform to the expectations of their loyal fans and also give value for money to their sponsors and partners.
He said the technical team is never satisfied with any result other than victory and it is now time to repay the fans’ faith by winning.
Ndlovu said the opening day loss away to Black Rhinos in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium last week was due to a combination of factors, which include losing skipper Ariel Sibanda on the eve of the match following a tragic family bereavement.
Sibanda dropped off the team bus in Kwekwe after receiving news of the passing away of his grandfather, who had been missing from home for some days.
Rhinos, Ndlovu said, exposed their lack of fitness, which together with injuries contributed to their woeful start to the season.
“As coaches and players, we are never happy when we lose because we always want to win for ourselves, fans and sponsors. Bosso is a big family that wants to win every time and we will try to work hard and get those wins. It’s up to us as coaches, players and support staff to give back the undiluted love that our supporters show us week in and week out,” Ndlovu told Television Sports Media.
He said the absence of goalkeeper Sibanda and lanky defender Andrew Mbeba had a negative bearing on the team as it affected their combinations.
“The team which played the Chibuku Super Cup against FC Platinum was not the same line-up in Harare because of injuries, so we had to try new combinations. The two of them (Ariel and Andrew) are in the heart of our defence and so their absence gave us problems and I think that’s why we were probably caught by those headers from set pieces.
Not to say the replacements didn’t play well, but sometimes the issue of combinations comes into the picture and we will get it right going forward. It only needs a little bit of time,” he said.
Bosso’s next league game is a tough encounter against in-form Ngezi Platinum Stars at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.
Ngezi have been in top form and fired warning shots by demolishing Bulawayo City 5-0 in their opening PSL match at Baobab Stadium last week and the Highlanders’ rearguard can’t afford to repeat the same mistakes they made against Rhinos.
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