The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
DESPITE heading into this afternoon’s clash with indifferent form, expectations are high Highlanders and Caps United will produce an exciting show when they meet in Match Day 12 of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League at Barbourfields Stadium.
Highlanders’ technical manager, Madinda Ndlovu summed it up during the week when he said an explosive match is on the cards as both sides are motivated when engaging each other.
The two sides have wobbled in their last five games and carry an equal record of having won two, lost a similar number and drew one in the PSL campaign. Bosso lost to Ngezi Platinum away and suffered a home defeat to ZPC Kariba while they drew against Yadah and registered victories against Shabanie Mine and Premiership returnees, Mutare City while Makepekepe won against Dynamos and new boys, Nichrut. The Green Machine also went down to Ngezi and Chicken Inn at home and were held to a stalemate by Shabanie Mine.
Both teams will come into the match hard pressed for a win to lift up their fortunes and this could be the catalyst for an exciting and electrifying game. Following their uninspiring performance against Yadah in Harare, Ndlovu revealed he had a word with the players on Tuesday during their training session and there was agreement they had lowered their gear and there was a need to up it.
“The players agreed their gear was slightly on the low in the past two matches and there is a need to make sure they match or come to the levels we are expecting of them. There will be fireworks this weekend because playing Caps is a motivation on its own just like playing Dynamos and although we respect them (Caps), the boys have promised to come to the party this weekend,” he said.
“We haven’t played our normal game in the past two games and I believe we were lucky to come out with a point against Yadah.
“The good thing though is that even when we are playing badly we still create chances but we miss them and against Yadah we had several obvious chances but our forwards, Newman (Sianchali), Gabriel (Nyoni), Godfrey (Makaruse) and also BB (Brian Banda) took turns to miss them. We will continue working on those weaknesses at training and hopefully get it right going forward,” added Khathazile, as Ndlovu was known during his playing days.
He said the continued absence of playmaker, Nigel Makumbe has pushed them backwards as the midfielder had developed a great influence with his abilities and his type of play is the one they are hankering for as it attracts supporters and is productive at the same time.
Ndlovu said when Makumbe was playing he assisted in many goals Bosso scored and managed to influence other players to come to the party but the return from injury of other players such as Makaruse and Nyoni could light up their game.
Speaking to our Harare Bureau during the week, Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe said they need to be very positive and work hard for the team.
“We have to make sure that we achieve our goals. All teams are different. We will approach the match against Highlanders in the manner that we feel we can win the game and it is important to look at it from that angle. All we need to do is make sure that we work for the result that we want. Teams are different and there is no need to compare teams. We are on the right track and we have a big task on our hands and there is no task that is not achievable.”
