Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira/ Tongai Mashonga
FOR Highlanders, tomorrow’s trip to Kwekwe is more than just chasing three points, it is about proving they can still rise above the uncertainty surrounding the club and begin building momentum in a season that they have struggled to spark.
Bosso travel to Chahwanda Stadium for a potentially explosive Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Matchday 12 clash against Hardrock seeking something they have failed to achieve all season, consecutive victories.
Fresh from a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Triangle United at Barbourfields Stadium, the Bulawayo giants now face another stern examination against one of the league’s emerging sides in what promises to be a tense and emotionally charged encounter.
The win over Triangle offered temporary relief for Highlanders after weeks dominated by reports of financial difficulties, player unrest and disruptions to training. Yet while the off-field turbulence continues to cast a shadow over the club, Bosso showed against Triangle that they still possess the grit and fighting spirit that has defined them over the years.
Coach Benjani Mwaruwari now hopes his side can finally translate that resilience into consistency.
“I am hoping the boys give it their best shot when we face Hardrock. So far we have not won back-to-back games so our aim is to achieve that. They are a team that is in a good position on the table but I am sure my boys will give their best,” said Mwaruwari.
Bosso’s inability to string together positive results has been one of the defining frustrations of their campaign. Every promising performance has seemingly been followed by another setback, leaving the club struggling to establish momentum in the early stages of the season.
That makes tomorrow’s fixture particularly significant.
A positive result in Kwekwe would not only improve Highlanders’ position on the table, but also provide a psychological boost to a squad desperate to steady itself amid growing pressure from supporters.
Hardrock, however, are unlikely to roll out the red carpet for the visitors.
The miners head into the encounter full of confidence after dismantling TelOne 3-0 in Gweru over the weekend. Their energetic style, aggressive pressing and growing belief have turned them into one of the season’s surprise packages.
Playing at home in front of what is expected to be a passionate Chahwanda Stadium crowd, will only further fuel their confidence.
Hardrock coach Kelvin Kaindu believes Highlanders’ off-field challenges add an unusual psychological dimension to the game.
“It’s going to be a psychological game. Like when we went to play Manica Diamonds, you could hear that they were not training. It really affects your planning in terms of mental strength regarding your team and your players. Psychologically, we feel we are playing a team on strike or are not training. We don’t know what they are doing behind closed doors. That also can be our biggest problem,” said Kaindu.
He added that his focus has been on ensuring that his players concentrate on the football itself rather than the drama surrounding their opponents.
Despite the distractions, Highlanders remain one of the country’s biggest football institutions and possess enough experience to handle difficult occasions.
Mwaruwari will likely demand another disciplined and patient display from his players against a Hardrock side expected to attack with intensity from the opening stages.
Matches involving Highlanders and teams from Kwekwe have traditionally produced fierce contests dating back to the days when the Midlands city was home to top-flight sides such as Lancashire Steel, Ziscosteel, Midlands Cables and Chrome Stars.
The rivalry has long been fuelled by football connections between the city and Bosso, with Highlanders recruiting several players from Kwekwe over the years.
Tomorrow’s atmosphere is therefore expected to resemble something close to a derby occasion, with local supporters eager to see Hardrock make a statement against one of Zimbabwean football’s traditional giants.
For Highlanders, though, this is ultimately a test of mentality.
The pressure is mounting, expectations remain high and every result is now being scrutinised closely.
But in Kwekwe, Bosso have an opportunity to shift attention away from their problems to the game.
A second straight victory will however not solve all the club’s challenges but could mark the beginning of renewed belief for a side still searching for stability in a turbulent season.
