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Augustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS have reclaimed top spot in the race for the Castle Lager Premiership title but coach Kelvin Kaindu is keeping his feet firmly on the ground and says staying ahead of the chasing pack will be a tougher task. Bosso shot to the top of the standings after an impressive 4-1 thumping of relegation-threatened Tripple B at Barbourfields on Wednesday as they dislodged faltering champions DeMbare, who fell to a 0-2 defeat against FC Platinum at Mandava.
Bustling forward Njabulo “JB” Ncube, Bekhimpilo Ncube, Ozias Zibande and Masimba Mambare scored for the Bulawayo giants as they took control of the league race, at least for now.
Kaindu is aware that pressure is now on Bosso as they have become the team to beat in the championship race where DeMbare, Harare City, FC Platinum and CAPS United have a chance to win the title. Even Chicken Inn, who are a distant sixth, still have an outside chance of winning the title.
Bosso have a home date against Dynamos in what is expected to be a blockbuster Battle of Zimbabwe showdown. Kaindu said God had answered their prayers.
“We thank God that we are on top of the log for now. If we look at the points separating the teams, it’s a very close and tight contest,” said Kaindu.
“There are still six games to go and we have to remain focused.
“We should not get carried away by being at the top of the log because the race is still on. Last week another team was on top and before that another team had led the table.”
The Bulawayo giants now turn their focus to Rimuka, where they date a Black Rhinos side that has not lost a game or conceded a goal, since moving to the Kadoma venue as their home ground.
A former Bosso player, Kaindu led his team to second place on the table last season, where they only lost one game, and ended with the same number of points as champions Dynamos, only to lose by an inferior goal difference.
Yesterday, the Highlanders players trained in the searing heat with Kaindu welcoming back Gabriel Nyoni, who missed the mid-week game due to an injury.
Rhinos are yet to lose, or concede a goal, since they adopted Rimuka as their home ground in Week 14 and Kaindu is aware that their game on Sunday will not be a stroll in the park. On Wednesday, Chipembere settled for a goalless draw against Buffaloes.
“The fact that Black Rhinos have never conceded a goal at their new home means that they are very comfortable with their pitch,” said Kaindu.
“So, it will not be easy. The competition is close this season and even teams that are fighting at bottom are close.”
Rhinos chairman Denias Madanha said he was confident his team would continue with their impressive run at their home ground where they have beaten FC Platinum and held Dynamos to a goalless draw.
Meanwhile, the draw for the Mbada Diamond Cup semi-finals will be held in the capital today with four teams — Highlanders, CAPS United, Harare City and How Mine — going into the hat.
PSL fixtures
Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v Hwange (Luveve), Black Mambas v CAPS United (Morris Depot)
Sunday
Shabanie Mine v Monomotapa ( Maglas), How Mine v Harare City (Luveve), Buffaloes v Motor Action (Sakubva), Black Rhinos v Highlanders (Rimuka), Triangle United v FC Platinum (Gibbo), Dynamos v Tripple B (Rufaro).
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