Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira
Zimpapers Sports Hub
RELIEF finally swept through the Highlanders camp yesterday after players received their outstanding salaries ahead of today’s potentially explosive Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash against Hard-rock at Chahwanda in Kwekwe.
The payments brought temporary calm to a club which spent the better part of recent weeks engulfed in financial uncertainty, player unrest and disrupted training sessions.
A source within the club confirmed yesterday that salaries had been settled, with Bosso also expected to move towards paying winning bonuses owed to players.
“The salaries were paid today (yesterday), and the club is also expected to disburse winning bonuses to the players. The team has managed two wins this season and naturally the players are expecting those bonuses as well,” said the source.
The development is expected to significantly lift morale within the Bosso camp as coach Benjani Mwaruwari seeks to guide his side towards something they have failed to achieve all season, consecutive league victories. Fresh from a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Triangle United at Barbourfields on Sunday, Highlanders now face another stern examination against one of the league’s emerging sides.
For Bosso, today’s encounter is about far more than just collecting three points.
It is an opportunity to show they can still rise above the off-field turbulence and begin building momentum in a campaign that has so far been disappointing.
The win over Triangle offered temporary relief after weeks dominated by reports of salary delays and instability within the club.
Yet despite the distractions, Bosso showed resilience and fighting spirit to grind out maximum points.
Mwaruwari now hopes the latest salary payments and improved atmosphere within the squad can help his players focus fully to the task ahead.
Bosso’s inability to string together positive results has become one of the frustrations of their campaign. Every encouraging performance has seemingly been followed by another setback, preventing the Bulawayo giants from establishing rhythm and consistency. Today’s fixture therefore carries huge significance.
A positive result in Kwekwe would not only improve Highlanders’ position on the table but could also help shift focus away from the financial problems that have overshadowed the club in recent weeks.
Hardrock, however, will provide a serious examination.
The miners head into the encounter brimming with confidence after dismantling TelOne 3-0 in Gweru over the weekend. Their energetic approach, aggressive pressing and growing belief have transformed them into one of the league’s surprise packages this season.
Playing at home in front of what is expected to be a passionate Chahwanda Stadium crowd will further strengthen their confidence.
