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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS captain and goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda has been in the game for long enough to know there are no easy games.
And he keeps on preaching this gospel to his relatively green teammates.
Bosso are trailblazing the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League landscape with solid performances this season.
They are topping the standings with 31 points in 15 games. They are four points clear of second-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars and they are still to taste defeat in exactly 1350 minutes.
They have conceded just four goals while they have pumped in 13. Highlanders appear a Mean Machine this season and no one can begrudge their claim to end a 17-year title drought.
But Sibanda, who made his debut at Bosso in 2009 was also there when the Bulawayo giants went for 21 games without tasting defeat in 2012 but still failed to capture the league title.
Highlanders lost only one game, a 3-0 defeat to Monomotapa in Harare in match-day 22 but somehow, they lost the title to Dynamos who had suffered three defeats throughout the season.
They were undone by too many draws at the end of the race losing the Premiership gong on an inferior goal difference, having finished the season with 69 points just like DeMbare.
Then, just like now, Highlanders were under the tutelage of a foreign gaffer in Zambian Kelvin Kaindu, while Sibanda was the team’s vice-captain.
The latter is the longest-serving player at Bosso right now and his message to his mates has been the same since match-day one.
“Let’s take it game by game. We should convert the many draws into wins if we are to avoid disappointments at the end of the race,” said Sibanda.
“We have been at this same position several times at this point in so many seasons but we have continuously failed to grab the ultimate prize.
“I am very happy we have a team with players who understand each other and who are very technical.
“Our technical team led by Baltemar Brito is also a huge inspiration. They are doing very well and the players are executing the instructions in the field of play well.
“This is the reason why we have conceded only four goals. Everyone knows their job and they are doing it to the book.
“But this is a marathon. You can never win the league title by going for 15 games without tasting defeat. You need to be consistent throughout the season to be able to do so.
“We went for 21 games without tasting defeat in 2012 but at the end of the race in which we lost only one game, we were second to Dynamos.
“So there is every reason for us to pay attention to the smallest of details if we are to finally win the league title. Otherwise the race is very wide open and the most consistent team will win it”.
Bosso last won the league title in 2006 and they are eager to finally make it to the podium.
Their defensive unit has been the most outstanding department restricting opponents from penetrating over the past 15 games.
And Brito believes championships are built on strong defences.
“I am very happy with what my defence has done so far this season. It can carry us all the way if we continue like that.
“I am very happy with the team spirit and the energy in the players. I can only coach them but the spirit is theirs. I am enjoying working with this team,” said Brito.
Fixtures:
Saturday: GreenFuel v Dynamos (Gibbo), Yadah v Chicken Inn (Baobab), Cranborne Bullets v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Nyamhunga), Bulawayo Chiefs v Herentals (Luveve), CAPS Utd v Triangle (Bata)
Sunday: Highlanders v Manica Diamonds (Barbourfields), Sheasham v Black Rhinos (Bata), Simba Bhora v ZPC Kariba (Baobab), Hwange v FC Platinum (Colliery)
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter