Highlanders Football Club fly out to Johannesburg on Friday for a friendly match against South African Absa Premiership club Bloemfontein Celtic at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday.
Bloemfontein Celtics intend to use the match as part of their preparations for the start of the 2011-12 Absa Premiership.
Bosso have a chance of leaving South Africa R150 000 richer if they beat Bloemfontein Celtic.
However, the Bulawayo soccer giants will not leave South Africa empty-handed as a loss will also see them pocket R100 000.
Highlanders’ secretary Andrew Tapela yesterday confirmed the trip and the prize money for the friendly match which Celtic has dubbed the “Challenge Cup”.
“We are flying out on Friday and we will be playing them at Ellis Park on Saturday. We will have a practice session at the venue at 1630hrs on Friday before the big game on Saturday. The winner of the game will walk away with 150 000 rand while the loser will get 100 000 rand,” Tapela said.
Tapela said skipper Gilbert Banda, who is on trials with Platinum Stars, will be joining them on Friday for the Saturday match.
“We will hook up with Banda on Friday in South Africa,” Tapela said.
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Despite the monetary benefit attached to the friendly match, Tapela said the game would give the Highlanders players the feel of a different type of football and expose the young players to a new environment.
He also said the match would keep the boys in shape after the cancellation of their local league match against Kiglon which had been due to be played on Monday at Rufaro, but was cancelled due to the Cosafa women’s championships.
“The match will keep the boys in shape and expose them to the challenges of other leagues and a different environment,” the Bosso spokesperson said.
“We are hoping to have good relations with Bloemfontein Celtic. Some of those things will be discussed by the executive when we get there. If opportunities come, we will grab them,” Tapela said.
Bloemfontein Celtic ended the 2010-11 season on position five on the log table, eight points shy of champions Orlando Pirates in a tightly, contested league.
They won 14 of their 30 matches, drew 10 and lost six in their best ever finish in the Absa Premiership.
