adminforgotten how Bigboy Mawiwi and his men held them to a 1-1 draw at Barbourfields in a match blighted by violence.
Highlanders’ coach, Kelvin Kaindu, believes his charges have been fantastic on the road and sees no reason why they should choke today.
And with DeMbare fans closely monitoring the match and likely to come in their numbers to back Harare City, this should be a cracker.
“It is an away game, we have managed to get good results away from home and we are focused,” said Kaindu.
“They are a good side and we cannot take anything away from them but we are prepared. There is no pressure for us, we are concentrating on every game and we know our opponents are trying to break that unbeaten record but we are not concentrating on that we are just focused on picking up points.”
Just about every department in the Highlanders’ team has clicked and contributed to their rise to the top of the league table.
Goalkeeper, Aerial Sibanda, has been brilliant between the posts and deserves his place in the national team.
His performance against CAPS United two weeks ago, especially in the first half, showed that he has matured to become one of the most dependable goal minders in the country.
Captain Innocent Mapuranga is the team’s best defender and is an imposing presence in central defence.
However, Bosso’s real strength is in midfield where Peter “Rio” Moyo and Mthulisi Maphosa have stamped their authority.
Moyo’s playmaking has become very key but Harare City have their own man, in the re-vitalised Nathan Ziwini, in that area.
Since Harare City relentlessly pursue the ball, gangly midfielder Bhekimpilo Ncube’s patience, dribbling and passing will be crucial to Highlanders’ cause.
Milton Ncube and Masimba Mambare have been finding the target regularly and the latter will be at home at Rufaro.
But City coach Mawiwi believes he has seen enough to plot a downfall of the former champions this afternoon.
“We are looking at winning this game. In the first leg we missed a penalty before we later equalised after they had scored first.
“We have worked on our weaknesses and strengths. We let them off the hook but tomorrow we are going to create chances and score.
“We have nothing to lose going into this match and we are not under any pressure and will just go and enjoy our game but we are positive that we will win this match.
“We would be missing Willard Kalongonda who has been nursing an ankle injury for the past four weeks and our new signing Talent Chawapiwa who has been playing well but was red carded last week in Hwange.
“Russell Manunure is out with suspension after picking three yellow cards but we have good replacements and we play as a team,” said Mawiwi.
At Gwanzura, it is a relegation battle when Blue Rangers host Hardbody this afternoon and the match can go either way.
Fixtures
Today: Harare City v Highlanders (Rufaro), Blue Rangers v Hardbody (Gwanzura), FC Platinum v Monomotapa (Mandava), Gunners v Black Mambas (Lafarge), Quelaton v Buffaloes (Luveve), Motor Action v Hwange (Motor Action Sports Club).
Tomorrow: CAPS United v Dynamos (National Sports Stadium), Chicken Inn v Shabanie (Luveve).
Wednesday: Dynamos v FC Platinum (Rufaro).
Online Reporter
dyton mupawaenda