WATCH: Bosso out to end derby blues

HIGHLANDERS will be out to atone for their poor first round showing against city Castle Lager Premiership sides when they clash with Bulawayo Chiefs in the first of their local derbies of the second round at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

Out of a possible nine points, Highlanders collected a paltry two points. The Bulawayo giants failed to win in any of the three Bulawayo derby ties they played. They lost to Chicken Inn 2-1 and drew with Bulawayo Chiefs 1-1 before a nil-all draw against Arenel.

All these matches were played at Barbourfields Stadium. On Sunday, they have another derby lined up, against Bulawayo Chiefs, at the same venue. Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu is fully aware of the tough assignment of getting three points, which is ahead of him at the back of an impressive 2-0 victory over bitter rivals Dynamos in Harare last Sunday.

“I think the last fixture was important for our fans. But in football, this now remains in history. We are now focusing on the game we are playing against Bulawayo Chiefs. If you look at our performance against the teams based in Bulawayo, I think we did not do very well and we know when it comes to these kind of games there is a lot at stake especially that we see them week-in-week-out.

We socialise with them and interact with them regularly. What is important at the end of the day is to get a positive result,” said Kaindu. The Zambian coach said they need to be at their best to get all three points against Chiefs.

“They are a good team. I think they have assembled young players that are complete. They also have a good coach who is very tactical. On Sunday, there will be a lot of tactical approach to their game but we just hope our tactics will be superior to theirs,” said Kaindu.

The coach was hopeful that he will assemble a full-strength squad for the upcoming game. Bosso has had several injury concerns from their game against Dynamos.”For now, we picked up several knocks from our last game. I think six of our players had some problems due to the condition of the pitch which was slippery but almost all of them have recovered and resumed training.

We hope everybody is in for the game on Sunday,” said Kaindu. The first leg between the two teams played in March ended in a one-all draw. Bosso got their goal from Lynoth Chikuhwa with Never Rauzhi who has since joined Highlanders on a six-month loan deal in this mid-season transfer window providing the equaliser.

Rauzhi will not be part of the Bosso team on Sunday as his loan clause does not allow him to play against his parent club. Both Chiefs and Bosso will go into the game full of confidence following impressive victories in the previous round of fixtures.

As Highlanders beat bitter rivals Dynamos 2-0 in Harare Chiefs were dispatching Greenfuel 2-1 at Luveve Stadium. Meanwhile, Chicken Inn and Arenel will get the derbies off the mark when they clash at Luveve Stadium tomorrow.

Chicken Inn coaches led by Joey Antipas who have been given an ultimatum to deliver, will be hard-pressed for maximum points. Farai Tawachera and his assistant coach Philani Ncube who have previously worked at the Gamecocks will be eager to save their sinking ship.

Arenel are in their maiden season in the Premiership while Chicken Inn the 2015 league champions has had an indifferent start to the 2024 season despite the investment in the squad. – @innocentskizoe.