adminThat, they said, would begin with the match against police side Black Mambas set for Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
The players though, are aware that any lapse in concentration will not be welcome and when that happens at this stage of the race, the result is catastrophic.
Most of the Bosso players who spoke to Chronicle Sport in separate interviews yesterday said the Monomotapa defeat was now water under the bridge.
Regular leftback Bruce Kangwa, who has had a good season in that position, said he and his teammates were ready for the “mamba venom” and were aware that the Harare side will come with their confidence high following a 2-0 win over relegation threatened Hwange on Wednesday.
“We are ready and very focused but we also know that it’s a game of football, anything can happen,” said Kangwa.
First choice goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, while conceding that pressure was on the players because of their magnificent run in the league, said they remained focused on the overall objective and on Sunday, victory was not negotiable.
“We don’t care how we win or by what margin, all we need to do on Sunday is to win and we are focused on doing just that,” said Sibanda, who is the favourite to don the Warriors jersey away to Angola next Sunday.
Sibanda said they have put the Monoz debacle out of their minds but from the start on that dark Saturday, they could tell that everything was just against them.
The press shy Sibanda appealed to their supporters to throng Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday and rally behind the team throughout the match, regardless of what could be happening on the field of play.
“We appreciate what the fans have been doing for us in all the games so far, we have reached a crucial stage now and their support could be the difference at the end of the day. Let them fill the turnstiles and we will try to do the rest,” said the former Plumtree High School student.
Returning striker Graham Ncube said winning on Sunday was a must. Ncube has not been playing of late due to injury and said he was itching to get back on the field.
“We don’t have any choice but to win on Sunday and when we do that, we need to do it emphatically. All our games now are not supposed to be drawn and what makes me happy is that everyone wants to play,” said Ncube.
He said a further incentive in their camp was that most players in the team have not won a championship medal and believe they have a great chance of doing it this year.
Highlanders vice-captain Eric “Tsiba” Mudzingwa, said their preparations were like for any other match although focus was on winning.
“While we might want to win by a huge margin, the first hurdle is to register that win and let the rest take care of itself,” said Mudzingwa.
History making coach, Kelvin Kaindu, in his post on the social network site Facebook, said:
“My father my father, thank you for what you have done for me and what you will do. A righteous man will fall but will rise, my father, my father the more the enemies the bigger the table, it shall be well.”
Fixtures
Today: Harare City v Blue Rangers (Rufaro)
Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v Hardbody (Luveve), Motor Action v FC Platinum (Rufaro), Gunners v Quelaton (Larfarge)
Sunday: Caps United v Monomotapa (Rufaro), Hwange v Dynamos (Colliery), Highlanders v Black Mambas (Barbourfields), Shabanie Mine v Buffaloes (Maglas)
Online Reporter