tawandamusarurwa
HIGHLANDERS might have failed to register a single win in their last five matches but veteran coach Lizwe Sweswe still thinks the Bulawayo giants have the pedigree to win the 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title.
Sweswe knows what it takes to win the championship, having guided FC Platinum to their third title on the trot in 2019, after taking over when Norman Mapeza left for Chippa United in South Africa.
But he is now in charge of Bulawayo Chiefs and his Midas touch has already helped the Ninjas become one of the best-performing teams in the Premiership so far.
Chiefs are unbeaten in seven games and have posted some commendable results against the top six teams, including a stunning 3-2 victory over Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium on April 23.
They also held title contenders Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-1, before snatching another point against last season’s runners-up Chicken Inn.
The Ninjas have so far managed 17 points from 11 matches, six better than their tally at this stage last season.
They are just two points behind Highlanders, whom they face in a Bulawayo derby at Barbourfields this afternoon.
After a promising start to the season, Bosso have somehow stuttered along the way and failed to win in their last five assignments.
They have scored two goals in five consecutive draws, translating to just a single goal in every 225 minutes of football.
Some Bosso fans are getting worried, while others are even calling for the sacking of Brazilian gaffer Brito, who, ironically, was the darling of the famous Soweto Stand a few weeks ago.
Sweswe, however, still believes Highlanders are among the favourites for the championship.
He has also put his money on FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum Stars and Manica Diamonds.
He believes Dynamos, who are winless in five games, are dark horses.
“The race is not yet clear but I am happy with the competitiveness shown by teams. We have seen some good football,” Sweswe told The Sunday Mail Sport.
His Chiefs side are among the top teams after 11 rounds of action.
They have shown an incredible fighting spirit, yet they lost a couple of key players during the off-season.
The Moyo twins — Kevin and Elvis — Perfect Chikwende, Kelvin Madzongwe, Arthur Musiyiwa, Hugh Chikosi, goalie David Bizabani and the Ghanaian duo of Wilson Mensah and Dela Arkoli all left the 2022 Chibuku Super Cup champions.
But the coach has somehow managed to put together a squad made up largely of a few survivors from last season’s cast.
New arrivals include former Zimbabwe international midfielder Danny “Deco” Phiri.
The 34-year-old has blended well with the likes of star player Mthokosizi Msebe, skipper Malvin Mkolo, Billy Veremu and Farau Matare, who formed the core at Bulawayo Chiefs last season.
Veteran striker Kuda Musharu, 36, is also now part of the Ninjas’ strike force, which has the bustling Obriel Chirinda.
“Teamwork and hard work have been key to this run; also, football understanding and brilliance,” Sweswe said.
“It has been pressure from day one, trying to make everybody involved in the club believe that this was work in progress, and if we pulled in one direction as a unit, we could achieve a lot.
“It has been hard work from the beginning and we thrive on that and we will keep pushing.”
Sweswe is a firm believer of the passing game, while Highlanders also like to move the ball around, so fans could be in for a treat at Barbourfields this afternoon.
A huge crowd is expected for the derby.
And Sweswe is promising entertaining football.
“I believe in passing football, which is what we are all trying to do as a team, and now, the boys understand how I want them to play.
“They need to have an attacking mentality,” he said.
With a clean bill of health, Sweswe is likely to unleash strikers Matare and Chirinda on Bosso.
Matare was on Thursday named the club’s Player of the Month for May, after scoring a goal and providing two assists during a month he covered 316km in 333 minutes of football.
The striker had nine shots on target in a month Chiefs registered two wins and as many draws.
Highlanders and Chiefs have met six times in the league since 2018, when the latter were promoted to the top-flight.
Bosso have three wins and Chiefs two.
The other contest ended in a 2-2 draw, in an exciting match in which Adrian Silla scored two late free-kicks for Bosso.
Silla is now at CAPS United but Bosso are still home to skipper Ariel Sibanda, Divine Mhindirira, Peter Muduhwa, Rahman Kutsanzira, Godfrey Makaruse, Stanley Ngala, Mbongeni Ndlovu, Andrew “Tower” Mbeba and Washington Navaya.
■ @LangtonGuraz
Online Reporter