adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
HAPPY times are looming for Highlanders FC with assistant coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu saying unity of purpose is driving the team to better results. Highlanders’ technical department heaved a huge sigh of relief on Wednesday after their strikers finally found their potency scoring three goals past Flame Lily. Thomas Chideu, Gabriel Nyoni and Obadiah Tarumbwa were on target for Bosso.
The former Railstars, Chicken Inn and Bantu Rovers coach said the 3-0 victory had given Bosso reason to believe that happy times were around the corner.
Mpofu, standing in for head coach Bongani Mafu at the weekly press conference yesterday, said: “I foresee us getting better if we get three points on Sunday.”
Bosso will be at home to Harare City at Barbourfields Stadium, a venue where they’ve struggled for a flawless display.
They have registered two victories at home – both identical 1-0 wins against Tsholotsho FC and Hwange. Bosso has lost twice to Chapungu and Caps United at Emagumeni by 1-0 margins.
He attributed the defeats to loss of confidence by the players.
“What is important is that we managed to beat teams in the Premiership. The positive thing is that these wins can be big motivation to our players and scoring three goals away is impressive. The strikers have been struggling and after this I’m sure they are motivated and their confidence has been recharged,” said Mpofu.
“If you look at the games we’ve lost at home, the guys at times look dejected and are quick to lose that fighting spirit. Even when there is an injury stoppage, you see the guys looking down instead of psyching each other, telling a group that has lost hope. We’re working round the clock to motivate the boys.”
He admitted that the unavailability of Mthulisi Maphosa in the past matches due to injury hit them hard as the group lacked a motivator inside the field of play.
“Not to say Felix Chindungwe is not a good leader but what you need is someone of Roderick Mutuma’s character, able to motivate his teammates as well as supporters. Mutuma is not a captain but can inspire his teammates. Mthulisi is good at that and we need him.”
Maphosa is likely to return for Sunday’s game having been training for the past two weeks.
Harare City are coming from a 2-1 win against ZPC Kariba and just like Bosso, they’re bubbling with confidence.
Highlanders are monitoring Nqobizitha Masuku, Obadiah Tarumbwa, Teenage Hadebe, Douglas Sibanda and goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni who have injuries.
Mpofu said they are working round the clock to make sure that they re-produce the same show they did at Flame Lily.
He is confident that the supporters who’ve expressed their displeasure on the team’s performance by marching and singing songs calling for Mafu’s ouster will be jovial on Sunday.
“We appreciate the backing of our supporters and even I would have protested the team’s poor show if I were in Soweto by marching to the clubhouse. As the technical team and the players we are working on coming with winning formulae that will put smiles on our supporters’ faces. They’ll soon be singing celebratory songs, all the way home,” Mpofu said.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: ZPC Kariba FC v Chicken Inn (Gwanzura), How Mine v Tsholotsho FC (Luveve), Chapungu v Dongo Sawmill (Ascot)
Sunday: Dynamos v FC Platinum (Rufaro), Highlanders v Harare City (Barbourfields), Hwange v Flame Lily (Colliery), Triangle United v Whawha (Gibbo), Buffaloes v Caps United (Sakubva).
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