De Jongh ready to take risks

Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub

HIGHLANDERS coach Pieter de Jongh says he has drawn vital lessons from last week’s league encounter against Dynamos and is prepared to take calculated risks.

The two giants meet again in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-final at Rufaro on Sunday.

They played to a 1-1 draw in a tense affair at Barbourfields, which underlined the fierce rivalry between the traditional powerhouses.

But De Jongh insists that the cup fixture will be a different contest altogether, one that demands boldness and courage.

“The last game was a league game and we needed to be a bit cautious, but this time around it’s a cup game, we will take risks we could not take last Sunday. It’s a cup game and we will definitely take risks,” said De Jongh.

“We play two times in a week against our big opponents. The game at BF last Sunday was good. The upcoming game is a cup game, which means there has to be a winner. In cup football, there has to be a winner. The weather is changing, the rainy season has started and I hope the pitch in Harare has no problems because of the rain. It’s a big game,” said De Jongh.

De Jongh says he has a full squad to choose from ahead of the big clash.

“The morale is good because we have everyone available. We have no suspensions. Reason Sibanda played a bit last week and he is still recovering. He was not 100 percent fit at that moment; he is still recovering. Everyone is available. Let’s enjoy the game and hope for a good result. We will do everything in our power to go to the cup final,” said De Jongh.

The Dutch mentor believes that Sunday’s league stalemate provided valuable insight into Dynamos’ strengths and weaknesses, knowledge he intends to exploit in the winner-takes-all semi-final.

“I have a clear picture of what we have to do on Sunday. Of course, we respect the opponents. We are bitter opponents, enemies, but for me, both teams have a big status in Zimbabwean football and Zimbabwean football needs both teams. The game on Sunday gave me a clear picture of the opponents,” said De Jongh.

“I know Dynamos have won three times via penalty shoot-out and we also won a game through penalty shoot-out. We just hope we do our job inside 90 minutes without going to penalty shoot-outs. But I am not scared of the penalty shoot-out,” said De Jongh.

What worked or failed in the league duel cannot simply be replicated. With a final place and a potential Caf Confederation Cup ticket on the line, risk and reward will take centre stage.

The road to the semi-finals has already claimed several high-profile casualties. CAPS United, Chicken Inn, FC Platinum, Manica Diamonds, and Ngezi Platinum Stars have all fallen by the wayside, underlining the Chibuku Super Cup’s ruthless unpredictability.

Of the four remaining teams, only Dynamos, Highlanders, and Triangle United have previously lifted the trophy.

Triangle meet Premiership debutants MWOS in the other semi-final at Ngoni Stadium on Saturday.

For both Dynamos and Highlanders, reaching the final is not just about silverware or bragging rights; it represents redemption in a season that has seen both clubs flirt dangerously with relegation. Winning the Chibuku Super Cup and securing survival could be the only way to salvage something from an otherwise frustrating campaign.