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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
CAPS United coach Mark Harrison yesterday declared that his side is coming for maximum points at the expense of Highlanders who they face in a Premiership battle of the cities at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.Sunday’s blockbuster encounter will be broadcast live on satellite television channel — SuperSport.
It will be a game that both teams will not want to lose so that they remain within the title chasing pack.
A tall order it will be for Highlanders who ended on the losing end in their last meeting with Caps United.
The Harare giants beat Highlanders 2-1 in the Bob 91 Super Cup on March 1 at Barbourfields Stadium. Caps United got their goals from striker Roderick Mutuma and dribbling wizard Takudzwa Mahori.
Harrison, making his third trip to Bulawayo, is aware that the situation has changed from his last meeting with Bosso but remains confident that they will go back to Harare with three points.
He says his boys have been working hard at training, save for injured veterans Ashley Rambanepasi and Leonard Tsipa.
Tsipa had a good game when Caps United beat Bosso in the Bob 91 Super Cup.
“Look, the pressure is different now because when we met them for the first time everyone was still working out on combinations and finalising squads. Now three points are at stake and this will be a tight, difficult game. We’re under no illusion that it will be easy because they (Highlanders) are coming from a big win but they must know that we’re coming for maximum points,” said Harrison.
The Caps United gaffer promised a quality football brand which hopefully will get them results.
Caps United managed to snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat against ZPC Kariba at the weekend, coming from a goal down to end the match 1-1. Malawian international Gerald Phiri scored directly from a corner kick to cancel ZPC Kariba’s lead.
On the same weekend, Highlanders got their third win of the season, beating Dongo Sawmill 1-0 at Rusape’s Vengere Stadium.
The result saw Highlanders moving to position four with 10 points.
Caps United are on position 10 with eight points, two points behind fourth placed Highlanders.
Harrison isn’t reading much into their position.
“We respect every game that we play and having noted that every team wants to beat Caps United, we approach every encounter as a final and no one wants to lose a final. Look, when I joined Caps United I was told that there was no pressure for me to win the championship because the club is rebuilding. I’m not stressed about our position on the table. We’ve just lost one game, with the other being the one that we failed to play. I think we’re improving with every encounter which makes us believe that we can collect three points in Bulawayo if we continue working hard.”
Harrison will bank on veteran goalkeeper Victor Twaliki, captain Hardlife Zvirekwi, Young Warriors’ Ronald Pfumbidzai, find of the season Crispen Machisi, Mahori, Mutuma and Dominic Mukandi to get him positive results.
Highlanders who’ve not had the joy of fielding a consistent team because of injuries will pin their hopes on skipper Felix Chindungwe, Young Warriors’ centre back Teenage Hadebe, scorer against Dongo Sawmill Nqobizitha Masuku, Bruce Kangwa and Gabriel Nyoni.
Obidiah Tarumbwa, scorer against Caps United in the Bob 91 Super Cup, is ruled out for the game because of injury leaving Nyoni, Simba Sithole, Ozias Zibande and Thomas Chideu available for selection against Caps United.
Sithole and Zibande are not fully fit as they are coming from long lay-offs because of injuries.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter