adminThe Bulawayo giants go into the weekend game trailing their adversaries who have amassed 58 points by two points from 25 matches.
The outcome of the weekend match will probably decide the title destiny with Highlanders’ vice-captain Eric Mudzingwa confident of getting a positive result in Harare.
Mudzingwa wore the skipper’s armband in the absence of Innocent Mapuranga when they played Monomotapa in a Mbada Diamonds Cup game in Hwange last weekend. He said they have to raise their game if they are to beat Dynamos.
He said they were disappointed with bowing out of the Mbada Cup but was hopeful that they will get the better of Dynamos.
Highlanders surrendered a two-goal lead when they lost to Monomotapa in Hwange, a side which handed them their first defeat in the league last month. Monomotapa beat Bosso 3-0 in the Premiership encounter.
“To us this is a do-or-die game which requires us to go an extra mile in terms of working hard. We cannot afford to lose the game because that will be the end of our championship hopes. We know what is at stake here and we are going there to fight for a win just like we always do.
“Every game is different, we lost to Monomotapa but we must not dwell much on that as we have to correct our mistakes before we head for Harare,” Mudzingwa said.
The lanky player who was converted from a midfielder to a defender at Highlanders at the beginning of the season by coach Kelvin Kaindu has established himself well in that role. He said they have the spirit to fight and now that they are out of the cash-rich tournament, their concentration is in landing the title.
He said if they do the basic things right, they will overcome Dynamos but the win will not come easy as they have to work hard and concentrate the whole 90 minutes.
“We have to avoid losing concentration and this being a big game, obviously it is self-motivating and we just have to focus for the whole game. It will be an honour to lift that trophy (Castle Lager Premiership title). We met with the guys after the Mbada Diamonds Cup game against Monomotapa and said now that we are out of that tournament, let’s give our best shot and fight for the ultimate prize which is the league title.
“The last time the club won the trophy was in 2006 and we want to be remembered for leaving a trophy in the club’s cabinet and go into the history books as a squad that fought hard for victory.
Nothing will be sweeter than beating Dynamos at their own home ground,” said Mudzingwa.
In the first leg played at Barbourfields Stadium, the two teams drew one-all with Takesure Chinyama scoring for DeMbare in the second minute while Milton Ncube equalised for Bosso before halftime.
“We could have won the first leg but we were caught on a counter attack but we showed character by fighting back into the game. I think that was one of the most exciting matches that we played this season and we have to carry that kind of fighting mentality when we go to Harare,” said Mudzingwa.
The Bosso defender also hopes to ride on their 2012 season’s good run away from home where they have picked up a significant number of points.
However, in their last trip to Harare, they were clobbered 3-0 by Monomotapa and they will be hoping for an improved performance.
Their display in the Mbada Diamonds Cup quarter-finals against Monomotapa in Hwange was unconvincing and if they are to claim the championship, they have to improve on their game.
Fixtures
Week 26: Monomotapa v Black Mambas, Hardbody v Shabanie Mine, Quelaton v Harare City, Dynamos v Highlanders, FC Platinum v Chicken Inn, Buffaloes v Hwange, Blue Rangers v Motor Action, Caps United v Gunners.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter