admin
Ricky Zililo and Lovemore Zigara Sports Reporters
AILING Bulawayo giants Highlanders have set themselves an ambitious top eight finish target in a bid to salvage some pride. Bosso have been languishing in the bottom half of the table for the better part of the season and are involved in a tricky tie against relegation haunted Buffaloes at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.
A draw will be good for the army side, but bad for Bosso as it will leave the former champions’ hopes of a top eight finish hanging by a thread.
Highlanders are sitting on 11th place with 32 points and need to win all their remaining four games to achieve their new target. Missing out on a top half finish will eliminate them from next year’s Top Eight Tournament.
“The naked truth is that we’re now fighting for a top eight finish because we anticipate more trophies (competitions) for teams that finish within that bracket next season,” said Bosso technical advisor Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu.
“Last year we finished badly, but we were in the top eight and look now we’re playing in the NetOne Easycall Super 8. We’ve to work harder and make sure we climb the ladder to get into the top eight bracket starting with a win against Buffaloes on Sunday.”
He said playing Buffaloes would not be easy because the army side is fighting relegation.
Zulu believes if his charges double their efforts and put in more than when they drew 1-1 with Chapungu last week, they can beat Buffaloes.
Against Chapungu, Bosso enjoyed superior ball possession, something they haven’t done for the better part of the season, but still failed to bury the numerous chances they created.
“A big worry for us is that despite enjoying huge possession, we’re struggling to take the chances and that can work against us with teams punishing us. About 75-80 percent of our drills are concentrated on finishing, which we’re hopeful will come right,” said Zulu.
The league’s top goal scorer with 12 goals, Knox Mutizwa, is expected to lead the Highlanders’ attack alongside Obidiah Tarumbwa.
Nqobizitha Masuku, Edmore Muzanenhamo, Tendai Ngulube, Godfrey Makaruse, King Nadolo, Rahman Kutsanzira, Valentine Ndaba and Simon Munawa will be competing for the four midfield slots.
Highlanders’ defence is likely to be made up of Erick Mudzingwa, Felix Chindungwe, Bruce Kangwa and Peter Muduhwa, with goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda starting ahead of Njabulo Nyoni.
Buffaloes will pin their hopes of causing an upset on keeper Chengetai Tandadzayi, defenders George Mukahanana, Phillip Chandisaita and Joseph Jambo, the midfield trio of Takunda Jeffrey, Shepherd Nkata and Roy Mwenga.
They also have former Highlanders striker Jacob Muzokomba to bank on for goals.
Meanwhile, relegation bound Whawha have vowed to collect maximum points when they face log leaders Chicken Inn at Ascot Stadium this afternoon.
The match will be screened live on SuperSport 9 at 1PM.
The prison wardens are second from the bottom with 20 points and need a Houdini act to escape the dreaded chop by winning their last four games and hope that Tsholotsho FC, who take on Hwange at the Colliery Stadium tomorrow, as well as Buffaloes, falter.
Whawha have only managed four home wins against FC Platinum, Dynamos, Hwange and Highlanders.
Despite their glaring shortcomings, Whawha’s Luke Petros-Jukulile still believes his side can pull it off and survive the dreaded chop.
“This is a game which will determine our destiny and we’re going into it needing nothing short of maximum points. What gives us confidence is that we’ve tended to do well against the so-called big clubs as evidenced by us beating the likes of Dynamos and Highlanders,” said Petros-Jukulile.
“We’ve been working hard at training and all the boys are in great shape and I don’t see anything stopping us from winning. We still have the faith and self belief that we can survive relegation, something which is important at this stage,” he said.
Whawha will be hoping that former Golden Boot winner Nelson Maziwisa, who joined the Gweru-based outfit during the midseason transfer window from FC Platinum, will find his scoring touch.
Utility player, Roy Useni, Cleopas Kapupurika and Nigel Gandari are also expected to play a pivotal role in the Gamecocks’ “downfall”.
Chicken Inn have ruled out complacency, saying they are travelling to Gweru for maximum points. In their last trip to the Midlands in June, the Gamecocks beat Chapungu 2-1 at Ascot.
In other games slated for today, How Mine take on Flame Lily at Luveve Stadium with FC Platinum facing Harare City at Mandava Stadium while ZPC Kariba host Chapungu.
Tomorrow, Triangle United will be out to consolidate their top four place by beating table anchors Dongo Sawmill at Gibbo.
The pick of the weekend is the epic Harare derby between defending champions Dynamos and Caps United at Rufaro Stadium which will be broadcast live on SuperSport at 3PM.
Online Reporter