Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE good run that Highlanders are presently enjoying could be the impetus that Bosso could ride on when they face Bulawayo Chiefs in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
Bosso have gone for a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions, winning five games including a 1-0 Chibuku Super Cup first round victory away at Triangle United.
Highlanders’ last defeat was a shock 2-1 away loss to bottom side Whawha in July.
It is against this background that Highlanders coach Baltemar Brito wants his team to maintain its momentum by knocking Chiefs out of the Chibuku Super Cup.
Brito, who spoke for the first time about his team’s desire to lift the Chibuku Super Cup at yesterday’s press conference, is aware that Chiefs are equally hungry for glory to atone for a bad season after investing a lot.
“We’ve got goals for the rest of the season and winning Chibuku is part of those. We know that it (playing Chiefs) won’t be an easy game because it’s a derby. They look at winning the Chibuku Super Cup also as a way to finish well this season. We also want that too.
“We’ll play in our stadium, with our supporters and this means more numbers for us. We’re confident that we will play well. Right now, we’re in a good moment and we don’t want it to slip away,” said Brito.
Chiefs, who knocked ZPC Kariba 1-0 out of the Chibuku Super Cup to set a date with Bosso have been blowing hot and cold in the league.
Pressure could be mounting on Chiefs’ coach Nilton Terroso who has only picked 10 points from a possible 30 in the second half of the season.
But Highlanders coach Brito is not reading much into Chiefs’ run as he understands that derbies tend to bring the best out of the players.
Cup games by their nature are different from league games, which makes Sunday’s game unpredictable.
As the two sides collide on Sunday as they wrestle for a semi-finals slot, the battle is likely to be won and lost in midfield, with the side that will control the middle of the park and create scoring opportunities likely to emerge victorious.
Highlanders’ midfield will rely on the leadership of anchorman Nqobizitha Masuku, playmaker Devine Mhindirira, central midfielder Darlington Mukuli and Ray Lunga, with either Washington Navaya or Stanley Ngala partnering Lynoth Chikuhwa upfront.
Chiefs might have a bloated midfield to make it difficult for Highlanders to dominate possession with former Warriors’ Kelvin Madzongwe and Lucky Ndlela deployed at defensive midfield. Hughe Chikosa, attacking pair of Mthokozisi Msebe and Perfect Chikwende will complete the midfield while Obriel Chirinda plays as a lone forward. — @ZililoR.
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