Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS coach Baltimore Brito has done enough to earn the trust of the Bosso faithful thus far.
He, however has one final test to fully win the hearts of the black and white family.
All he needs to do is win against arch rivals Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday. Brito will be facing Dynamos for the first time since he took over at Bosso. Since his arrival, Brito has overseen 14 league games, winning seven, losing two and managing five stalemates.
Some fans remain unconvinced with his performance and this game provides him with an opportunity to prove his critics wrong and even win more of those sitting on the fence.
At Highlanders the demanding fans can forgive a coach for any other shortcoming but not losing to Dynamos.
That is how much the game means to the Highlanders family. It’s a rivalry like no other. Touted as the league’s biggest attraction, the match typifies a theatre that goes beyond the reach of the ordinary follower of the game.
There is more, the contest is etched in history as it brings yesteryear memories to those that have tasted its bitter and sweet moments on and off the field.
Statistics and facts to the history behind the epic encounter do not matter. The Portuguese coach is preparing for one of the most eagerly awaited games and appears relaxed and ready for the tie.
Dynamos are second on 56 points and are tied on points with Chicken Inn. Highlanders lie fourth on the premiership ladder with 49 points. Besides invaluable bragging rights, there is all to fight for as a win for Bosso would reduce the gap between the bitter rivals to four points while a DeMbare victory would extend their lead on Highlanders to 10 points.
The Highlanders first team had a training game against Bosso 90 yesterday and Chronicle Sport spotted four key things ahead of the DeMbare clash.
Ariel Back at Training
Ariel Sibanda joined the rest of the team at training though he did not play a part in the fine tuning match. Interestingly, second choice goalkeeper Rafael Pitisi also played no part in the game with Romeo Zimba in goal the entire match despite
Bosso changing the entire team at the half-time break. Sibanda will most likely be subject to a late fitness test if he is to play a part on Sunday.
In his absence, Pitisi who was in goal on Sunday when Bosso beat Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0, is likely to start in between the sticks. Pitisi kept a clean sheet last Sunday as he did last month when Highlanders beat visiting Triangle 2-0 at Barbourfields Stadium when Sibanda was serving a one-match suspension.
Pitisi made his Highlanders debut at the National Sports Stadium in a 3-2 win over Yadah but sadly conceded two goals when he came in as a substitute. He will have a chance to exorcise that NSS ghost by shutting DeMbare out.
Strikers looking sharp
If anything, Brito will be hoping his strikers carry their sharpness at training into Sunday’s game. Two goals apiece from Stanley Ngala and Washington Navaya propelled Bosso to a 5-1 victory with 16-year old Prince Ndlovu also on target.
For Ndlovu’s goal another forward Lynoth Chikuhwa was the provider after doing great work from the left channel. With all his forwards firing, Brito has a tough choice to make on who will lead the front-line. Chikuhwa who is Bosso’s leading goal scorer with 10 goals will be hoping to add to his tally.
The midfield pairing headache
Midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku who was substituted at half-time in Bosso’s game against Chiefs was not part of the training and maybe a possible absentee on Sunday.
Brito will give his team news today and hopefully they will be good news on Masuku. In the event he will not make it, Brito will have a big decision to make. From the training match, he tried the pairing of Darlington Mukuli and Muziwakhe Dlamini. The second half saw Mason Mushore double up with Adrian Silla in the middle.
Spirits high
The “Battle of Zimbabwe” is different as nothing else beats this long awaited weekend clash. Morale in the Highlanders camp is high and players are all fighting for the right to wear the black and white jersey come Sunday. -@innocentskizoe
Online Reporter