adminI have watched Highlanders’ best games which I believe have been away from home.
They played FC Platinum at Mandava in Zvishavane, Caps United at Rufaro Stadium in Harare, judging by their performance in those two games it will be difficult for any team to stop them.
Their strength is their away supporters who watch the team once in a while. They seem to appreciate each and every player unlike at home where fans have watched them regularly and sort of build opinions about certain players.
Away from home supporters do not boo players.
Each and every player plays differently than at home with an appreciative crowd of every move and player.
I don’t think Harare City can give Highlanders players problems because they depend on Nathan Ziwini and Godfrey Nguwodzawo.
Highlanders’ strength is that anyone can score. Their usual trump cards like Milton Ncube, Rio (Peter) Moyo, the defence of Innocent Mapuranga, Tsiba (Eric Mudzingwa), Ariel Sibanda, Bruce Kangwa, not forgetting man of the moment Masimba Mambare, can beat any team in the league.
I am confident of Kelvin Kaindu’s ingenuity. To have gone these 18 games without a loss is not by accident.
Credit goes to Bekithemba Ndlovu, Tembo Chuma, team manager Amin Soma-Phiri, the medics Xolani Ndlovu and Loyal Nyika, they have all done a good job so far. The executive, led by my former secretary Peter Dube, has done a good job too.
To the fans please practise self-restraint, the $5 000 fine that the club incurred because of you could have been used to pay signing-on fees of another good player to bolster the club.
What the supporters should appreciate is that it’s not all the decisions that are in their favour.
Referees are human and need to be forgiven when they make mistakes. They are professionals in their own right and have been entrusted with the responsibility of making soccer judgments.
I would like to give credit to referees like Hardly Ndazi of Victoria Falls. They have given good accounts of themselves. Referees should not be the ones to stop Highlanders marching towards the title, but should let the better team of the day win.
Harare City are a very good team that plays a passing game like Highlanders and Gunners. It looks like it will be a very exciting game.
Highlanders’ undoing could be in attack, finishing is not so good for the chances they create.
Young striker Ozias Zibande who started against Gunners last week has a lot of potential but needs to be groomed until he reaches his full potential.
Kaindu has several attacking options when the going gets tough. Players like Beavan Chikaka and Bheki Ncube can be thrown into attack to take advantage of the creativity on the wings and midfield and nod those crosses in.
The Harare derby pitting Caps United and Dynamos will be a very difficult affair at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Those games are decided by who wants three points more than the other.
Zenzo’s Predictions
Chicken Inn v Shabanie Mine: I predict that Chicken Inn will win.
Blue Rangers v Hardbody: Rangers will win.
FC Platinum v Monomotapa: FC Platinum are going to win to restore their pride.
Gunners v Black Mambas: Judging by Gunners’ effort against Highlanders last Sunday, they will win.
Quelaton v Buffaloes: Quelaton will come right on this one.
Motor Action v Hwange: I predict a draw.
Online Reporter