Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira and Onward Gangata-Zimpapers Sports Hub
BACK in April, when Highlanders were trapped in a frustrating six-match winless run in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, coach Benjani Mwaruwari soaked in the criticism and made a bold promise.
At a time when patience among sections of the Bosso faithful was beginning to wear thin, the former Warriors captain insisted the foundations were being laid for something bigger.
“Football is a process. I’m happy with what we are doing, slowly but surely. As soon as this machine clicks properly, I think it will cause problems for many teams,” said Mwaruwari.
At the time, those words sounded more hopeful than convincing. Highlanders were drawing too many matches, struggling to create enough chances and lacking the ruthlessness expected from one of the country’s biggest clubs.
Fast forward to Matchday 12 and the mood around Bosso has changed dramatically.
Benjani now has back-to-back league victories under his belt after edging Triangle 1-0 before following that up with a statement 1-0 win away to Hardrock on Wednesday. Suddenly, the question is no longer whether Bosso can improve, but whether Benjani’s team is finally beginning to click into gear.
The timing could not be better.
With unbeaten Ngezi Platinum Stars visiting Barbourfields on Sunday, Highlanders have an opportunity to make an even louder statement.
Perhaps most importantly for Bosso, the atmosphere around the club appears healthier than it has been in weeks. Players have received their salaries, easing tensions that had threatened to become a distraction earlier in the campaign.
The improved mood has started reflecting on the pitch. Substitute Reason Sibanda produced a stunning bicycle kick for the only goal of the game.
It was the type of goal that can reignite belief inside a dressing room and reconnect supporters with a team still searching for consistency.
“My boys fought all the way, they showed character, and the team spirit around us is getting high up there,” said Benjani.
“After this, hopefully we improve on the areas we didn’t do well. At times, after wins like this one, you forget about the mistakes you made but we still need to improve.”
Benjani remains cautious.
“Football is a process and we are heading in the right direction. When you are building there are a lot of things you have to pass through.
“We had seven draws and we were not conceding, then we had problems with set-pieces but we have started to work on the set-pieces.
“To be a good team you have to work on many areas. Now we are getting goals but they are not enough, we need to get more goals to win matches.”
That honest assessment perhaps explains why belief is slowly returning among the Bosso faithful.
For the first time this season, Highlanders look like a side beginning to understand themselves.
The players appear more comfortable in Benjani’s system, the dressing room mood has improved following salary payments and results are finally starting to match performances.
Now comes another massive test.
Ngezi Platinum Stars arrive at Barbourfields unbeaten and fully aware that a confident Highlanders side backed by a fired-up home crowd can become a dangerous proposition.
For Benjani, Sunday’s clash is about more than just three points. It is another chance to prove that his machine is finally beginning to click.
derick.khumalo