Highlanders will equal the 2006 championship-winning squad’s record start of 10 unbeaten games if they avoid a loss against Motor Action in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.
Then, under the leadership of Methembe Ndlovu who had just returned from the United States, Highlanders blitzed all and sundry home and away, amassing 28 points from 10 matches after dropping two points in a 0-0 draw against Motor Action.
Week 11 marked their first loss at home, 1-0 to Caps FC.
They had all the stars at that time — Honour Gombami and Vusa Nyoni, now playing in Belgium, Tapuwa Kapini, now captain at Absa Premiership side AmaZulu in South Africa, Gilbert Banda and Zephaniah Ngodzo, who have now moved to FC Platinum.
By the end of the season, Highlanders had amassed 65 points, 11 more than runners-up Motor Action and 16 ahead of bitter rivals Dynamos, who were third on 49. The Bulawayo giants had won 20, lost five and drawn five, scoring 56 goals and conceding 26.
Now with a new coach in their former striker Kelvin Kaindu, Highlanders have recorded seven wins and two draws and lead the standings with 23 points, five away from joint second-placed teams Platinum and Shabanie Mine.
While back then in 2006, there was individual talent at display, now team work is the major ethic under the UK-trained Zambian mentor with names like Graham and Milton Ncube, Erick Mudzingwa, veteran Innocent Mapuranga and newboy Masimba Mambare running the show.
Being the only unbeaten team in the league, the former champions have scored 22 goals and conceded just six, thanks to Mudzingwa being successfully converted from a midfielder to a central defender to partner skipper Mapuranga.
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The two draws came against Buffaloes (1-1 away) and Chicken Inn (0-0), the first game where they failed to score.
Their opponents today, Motor Action, have not had the best of starts after winning four, losing four and drawing two from 10 matches. That has left them in 11th position with 14 points, nine behind Highlanders.
The Mighty Bulls’ last outing was a 3-0 drubbing of Black Mambas and judging by this, a tough match is expected at Rufaro today. While the Bulls were inactive last week, Highlanders were at the Colliery where they drew 1-1. Young Ozias Zibande, who scored on his debut in the 4-0 season-opening win against Blue Rangers, was on target at the Colliery. Veteran goalkeeper Marlon Jani is out due to illness, but the likes of Gift Phiri and veteran Edward Tembo have what it takes to halt the Highlanders juggernaut. Tembo has the duty to stop former teammate Mambare from scoring. Milton Ncube, another former Bulls player, is out of the match due to injury and Kaindu might opt for Beaven Chikaka in his place.
Young Zibande and Ryan Howes are other alternatives for Kaindu.
The Mighty Bulls still have other trump cards in former Gunners, Dynamos and FC Platinum striker Norman Maroto, former Chicken Inn attacking midfielder Morris Kadzola, Isaac Masame and Yves Ebabali to bank on.
