The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
HIGHLANDERS coach Bongani Mafu will lead his charges into Barbourfields Stadium against Whawha in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match this afternoon knowing only a win can silence his growing band of detractors.In fact some among the Highlanders’ family have urged Mafu to do what they believe is the honourable thing; RESIGN if he fails to get past Whawha, who are nestled second from bottom of the log.
Rumours of Mafu’s sacking following last weekend’s loss against Chicken Inn mirrored the problems the Uefa B licence holder was in heading into today’s match.
A poor start that has seen Bosso being thumped at BF has turned fans against the former Saints coach.
Mafu, however, refused to be drawn into commenting on whether a loss today could lead to his axing, saying the issue would take focus away from the PSL tie.
An emotional Mafu said he could not speculate on the issue adding all efforts should be put on mobilising support and energy to beat Whawha.
“I don’t speculate on that (if a loss would lead to his sacking). It is not something I am thinking about; because it will take away focus from tomorrow’s game. We need to put our efforts on ensuring we win and nothing else. If I am going to lose my job I will lose it whenever that is but we all need to come to the party and focus on the game,” said Mafu.
But Mafu beware, a team which is down, in this case Whawha, has no way to go, but up.
Highlanders go into the match a depleted side missing seven of their regular first team players but Mafu said it was nothing new as he had not had the opportunity to select from his full complement of players since the league began.
He said he would, however, pin his hopes on the available players to do the job for him admitting Whahwa were a “dangerous side with a winning pedigree on their day’’.
Highlanders will be missing the services of captain, Felix Chindungwe, who is on suspension after accumulating three yellow cards, Teenage Hadebe, Nqobizitha Masuku, Thomas Chideu, Ozias Zibande, Douglas Sibanda and Gabriel Nyoni.
Sibanda, Masuku, Hadebe and Chideu are away on national duty while Zibande and Nyoni are sidelined by injury.
It is the spectacular losses that Bosso have experienced at BF, that have worried the black and white faithful.
Highlanders have only won twice at Barbourfields this season in the six games they have played at the venue once regarded as Bosso’s hunting ground.
They managed to beat Tsholotsho and Hwange before losing to Chapungu, Caps United and Chicken Inn while they salvaged a last minute draw against Harare City.
However, Mafu can take solace in the fact that the Gweru-based side are poor travellers who have been hit for a half-dozen goals on two occasions by How Mine and Triangle away from home.
On the other hand, Lloyd Mutasa’s charges can take comfort in that Bosso has been misfiring at home and the prison guards will hope to emulate Chapungu who got their first goal and win of the season at BF that culminated in a change of fortunes.
Mutasa was quoted by the media saying: “Obviously, coming from a defeat we want to bounce back and pick up the much needed points as we fight to catch up with other teams. Winning this game will boost my players’ confidence ahead of other matches to come. We’re aware that it won’t be an easy match but we’ve prepared well for this encounter”.
Meanwhile, Tsholotsho faces a stern test when they travel to Harare tomorrow to face Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium.
The Matabeleland North side has not had it easy, despite a promising start in the PSL, they have since faltered and though they create numerous chances they have struggled to convert them.
Although the champions have been struggling in their last few matches they are coming from a morale boosting win against How Mine and they are likely to be in top form.
