Sundowns, Highlanders clash

By The NewsDay | Jan. 30, 2013 | 3 Min read

MAMELODI Sundowns trio of Esrom Nyandoro, Nyasha Mushekwi and Method Mwanjali are delighted about their homecoming and are expecting a tough match against Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.

The Brazilians arrived in Bulawayo on Monday afternoon and trained at the match venue yesterday morning and at Luveve Stadium in the afternoon.

Warriors vice-captain Nyandoro, a Bulawayo boy who played for the now defunct AmaZulu, said the game has changed over the years and Bosso has very exciting young players.

“It’s always good to be home. I am excited, but we are here to work. We have a job to do as we prepare for the second half of the season. There are a lot of young and exciting players at Highlanders and we are hoping for a good game.

“It is nice to be back at BF, but it’s not about Esrom; it’s about Sundowns. We are here to play a strong team. I am currently enjoying my game at Sundowns, the coach (Pitso Mosimane) is a good coach and a father figure,” Nyandoro said.

Former Caps United striker Nyasha Mushekwi was also ecstatic.

“I have been missing this (playing at home). We have got big games that are coming up and we have come here to do our best. It will be tough playing Highlanders, Caps United and Dynamos although Caps did not do that well last season,” Mushekwi said.

Former Warriors skipper Mwanjali said there are new players in the Sundowns team and predicted a tough match this afternoon. “It is a good feeling playing at home. I am looking forward to the game and I hope the supporters come in their numbers to cheer both sides. It will be a tough game with us having new players and Highlanders also having new players. It is going to be a good game,” Mwanjali said.

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Mwanjali said he enjoyed Highlanders’ anchorman Mthulisi Maphosa’s game and said he was looking forward to shaping up in preparation for the second half of the South African Premiership season.

“Mthulisi (Maphosa) is a fantastic player. We have played together before. I played the last four games in the first half of the season and I think I am in the coach’s big plans. I am obviously looking forward to the second half of the season,” Mwanjali said.

Mosimane said Sundowns are honoured to play Highlanders, Caps and Dynamos especially ahead of the first game in the second half of the season against Kaizer Chiefs.

“We feel welcome and honoured to be playing Zimbabwe’s big three. There are so many beneficial things in playing teams whose style of play you don’t know. I believe Sundowns should go back to Africa and play in the Champions League and the Confederation Cup.

“I am new at Sundowns and this gives me a chance to see the players. We are not here to see who is better than who. We brought the whole team and we are not tourists. We will use this opportunity to prepare for our first game with Kaizer Chiefs,” Mosimane said.