Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS head coach Pieter de Jongh, has reiterated that his top priority is to steer the club away from relegation danger.
Bosso face Herentals in a rescheduled Chibuku Super Cup first round clash at Nyamhunga Stadium this Sunday.
The Dutchman, who famously led Highlanders to Chibuku Super Cup glory in 2019, has returned to the club in a vastly different scenario.
Bosso are fighting relegation.
Only Ariel Sibanda and Andrew Mbeba survive from that team, which had Prince Dube as “Chief Executor”. Since then Bosso has battled to get and retain the little of quality that had come its way.
Bosso are entangled in a tense battle for top-flight survival, and De Jongh insists that securing the 40 points needed to guarantee safety is the primary focus.
“For me, I have said what is most important is to get 40 points, which guarantee us safety and we have seven games to do that,” said De Jongh.
While a deep run in the Chibuku Super Cup would provide a timely morale boost, the Highlanders coach remains pragmatic about the task at hand.
De Jongh acknowledged that Herentals, who have enjoyed a better run of form in the league, will be a tough opponent and stressed the need for fairness in how the match is officiated.
“We need to be realistic. Herentals have a better flow in the league, they are a tough team. I just hope fair play prevails. I remember, in 2019 there was a game against Herentals and we got a fair play. Last week had high marks for the officiating not only for us but for both sides, so we hope there will be fair officiating. It’s a cup game and anything is possible.”
Highlanders have been ramping up their preparations for the tie, holding two training sessions on Thursday ahead of their evening departure to Kariba. De Jongh confirmed the team’s schedule and expressed optimism despite the tight travel and training timeline.
“We are going to have two training sessions today (Thursday) before we leave for Kariba in the evening. It is going to be a fifty-fifty game.”
The fixture, which was initially set for August, was postponed due to the Kariba District Heroes Day commemorations.
It will now be the second of two remaining first-round matches, with the other taking place on Saturday between ZPC Kariba and Chicken Inn, also at Nyamhunga Stadium.
While the spotlight is on Bosso and Herentals this weekend, the Chibuku Super Cup first round has already delivered a string of dramatic and unexpected results. Defending champions Dynamos were forced to dig deep against Simba Bhora, edging them 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a tense 1-1draw. Ghanaian striker Felix Kwaku Hammond rescued the Glamour Boys with a late equaliser, cancelling out Boid Mutukure’s earlier goal.
Elsewhere, Premier League debutants MWOS stunned the local football fraternity with a sensational 2-0 victory over CAPS United at Ngoni Stadium. Second-half goals from Nigel Mutinha and Arthur Banda sealed what was arguably the biggest upset of the round. At Mandava Stadium, Manica Diamonds held FC Platinum to a goalless draw before progressing via a penalty shootout.
Bikita Minerals also kept their cup dreams alive after a 1-1 draw with TelOne, going on to win 5-4 on spot-kicks. Scottland, meanwhile, secured their place in the quarter-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 win over GreenFuel at Sakubva Stadium, thanks to a 15th minute goal from Moses Shidolo.
Triangle United completed the list of quarter-finalists by edging Ngezi Platinum Stars 6-5 on penalties after a tightly contested match at Baobab Stadium.
Chibuku Super Cup fixtures
Saturday: ZPC Kariba vs Chicken Inn
Sunday: Herentals vs Highlanders
Bongani Ndlovu