HIGHLANDERS chairman Peter Dube says he hopes the Bulawayo football giants will this year rise to the occasion and lift the $130 000 Mbada Diamonds Cup and shake off the dust that has been gathering on the team’s trophy cabinet ahead of the first round of the tournament against Triangle at Barbourfields Stadium at the weekend.
BY FORTUNE MBELE
Bosso last picked up silverware in the Independence Trophy of 2011 when they beat Dynamos 4-3 in a penalty shootout in Harare when Mkhuphali “Mr Cooper” Masuku was head coach.
However, the silverware run has been elusive for Bosso, who also last won the Premier Soccer League title with Methembe “Mayor” Ndlovu in 2006. The last final that Highlanders engaged in was hosting Motor Action in the 2011 BancABC Sup8r Cup at Barbourfields Stadium, but they lost 1-0 to the Mighty Bulls.
“We are hopeful we can turn the tables as we have been onlookers for too long. It is everyone’s hope that we rekindle that atmosphere of the grand stage that we were accustomed to and we encourage everybody taking part to take up that challenge.
“If others are doing it, it is also within our means and we will do our best to be among the best. We hope not to disappoint our fans this time again,” Dube said.
In the inaugural Mbada Diamonds Cup, Highlanders were bundled out of the first round by Zimbabwe Saints 6-5 in a penalty shootout when their current first-choice goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya was the hero for Chikwata saving Bosso’s sixth spot kick after the two teams had tied at 5-5.
Last year, Bosso failed to exorcise the ghost of the Colliery and were again booted out in the early stages of the tournament bowing out 3-2 to Monomotapa after having led the 2008 league champions 2-0 in the match.
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Prior to that match, Highlanders players had gone on strike over unpaid dues. This year, Bosso fell 3-1 to FC Platinum at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo in a penalty shootout in the quarter-final of the Sup8r Cup after Simon Munawa and Bruce Kangwa failed to convert their spot kicks.
Holders Dynamos have what looks like an easy task in the first round of this year’s Mbada tournament when they take on struggling Tripple B at Gibbo Stadium. Last year’s losing finalists Monomotapa, who lost 2-0 to Dynamos, have the toughest assignment as they lock horns with Harare City at Rufaro on Sunday.
Chicken Inn are away to 2013 Sup8r champions Shabanie Mine on Saturday at Mandava while FC Platinum will play Hwange at the Colliery on Sunday.
Fixtures Saturday: Chicken Inn v Shabanie Mine (Mandava), Buffaloes v Black Mambas (Rimuka), Motor Action v Caps United (Sakubva Stadium) Sunday: How Mine v Black Rhinos 1300hrs, Highlanders v Triangle (Barbourfields 1500hrs), Hwange v FC Platinum (Colliery), Dynamos v Tripple B (Gibbo), Harare City v Monomotapa (Rufaro)
