adminThe pacesetters, still unbeaten, have struggled in the last three games forcing draws, but bounced back when they beat Gunners 1-0 at home on Wednesday.
Bosso will now welcome the Green Machine who haven’t lost a match in the past six games.
Connor is likely to unleash newboy, Shingi Kawondera, who impressed in his debut against Black Mambas, from the word go.
Kawondera came in as a substitute against Mambas, a day after his registration had sailed through, and made a huge impression.
“He was tremendous. He played well for 51 minutes,” said Connor.
“He has been training really well, he is a good professional and even Lloyd (Chitembwe) has the same opinion. He has only arrived at the club and it was right to start him on the bench.
“He had a tremendous match and we are now looking forward to him and Evans (Gwekwerere) playing together. We need three matches to see the best of Shingi.”
Even though the Northern Irishman feels Highlanders have really done well so far, he believes his team is equally good, and the weekend’s encounter would be a balanced contest.
Speaking at the club’s weekly media briefing yesterday, Connor was optimistic that his team will, at worst, salvage a point at Barbourfields.
“I have seen Highlanders playing and I am looking forward to the match and it is my first time to go to Bulawayo,” said Connor.
“They have drawn three and won one, we have won three and drawn two so I think it suits them better.
“But that is history now. So Sunday, it is a different game. And are we going to Bulawayo to lose a game? Absolutely not!
“And we are going there respecting their position hundred percent. Have we watched them? Yes we have. Do we think they were a good team? Yes we do. Do I think we are a good team? Yes I do.
“I am looking forward to the game, two good teams, probably Highlanders and Buffaloes are the form teams. Highlanders’ form is good, and so is our form.”
The gaffer believes this game will help them with a brutal assessment of the Green Machine’s pedigree.
So far the former champions have played one big match against FC Platinum and were impressive in their 3-1 victory, a defeat that pushed Warriors’ coach, Rahman
Gumbo, closer to the exit door at the country’s richest football club.
The game will also see former Bosso talisman, midfielder Rahman Kutsanzira, returning to the Barbourfields for the first time following his move to the Harare giants.
“I think it is a game everybody should look up to. Rahman (Kutsanzira) is going back to Bulawayo. He is in fantastic form although he was a bit quite yesterday (Wednesday).
“The game on Sunday is a game for big players,” said Connor.
CAPS will also welcome Edmore Chafungamoyo, who is back from suspension, into their fold.
“I think the players now believe in themselves and yesterday we lost a goalkeeper and a striker but we finished the game strongly,” said Connor.
“We have a hard-working bunch of players and these players need to be appreciated.”
Former captain, Nyasha Mukumbi, who accompanied his coach to the briefing, said they were disappointed to drop points at home in the last two matches but were now geared for the big match and will try their best in Bulawayo.
Meanwhile, the injured duo of goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda and Washington Pakamisa were yesterday discharged from hospital.
CAPS United team doctor, Mordecai Sachikonye, yesterday confirmed that the two had been discharged and were recovering well.
“They are making good progress, thanks be to God, they have been discharged from hospital,” said Sachikonye.
“We wouldn’t want to rush them because it was something serious, so as a precaution they are likely to be out for some days or weeks but not months.”
Online Reporter