COMING from an unfortunate defeat to Dynamos, which saw a seemingly legitimate Edmore Muzanenhamo goal being disallowed last Sunday, Highlanders brace for another tough encounter when they host high-flying Triangle in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.
BY FORTUNE MBELE
Triangle is under Bosso former gaffer Kelvin Kaindu, who makes his second trip to Bulawayo after playing a goalless draw with Chicken Inn at Luveve Stadium in May.
Highlanders head coach Bongani Mafu says he enjoys being under pressure as football is a pressure game, but tomorrow’s match is not about Kaindu, but Highlanders playing Triangle.
“It makes me glad that people appreciate coaches when they are gone. I think Kaindu is a very good man. But Sunday is not about Kaindu. It is about Highlanders playing Triangle. Premier League coaching is a pressure game and you should feel an urge to go. I love the pressure. That is what drives me,” Mafu said on Thursday.
Mafu made a plea to Highlanders fans to come in their numbers and rally behind his charges, paying tribute to travelling supporters who followed the team to Mandava Stadium where they drew 2-2 with FC Platinum and to Harare where they lost to Dynamos last Sunday.
Goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda will have to pass a late fitness test after he missed training on Wednesday with a stiff neck, while striker Gabriel Nyoni is still out injured.
Striker Thomas Chideu, who is serving a red card suspension, is in South Africa for trials with Ajax Cape Town.
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Bosso will be banking on in-form Knox Mutizwa and Obadiah Tarumbwa to bury Triangle with the attacking midfield trio of Muzanenhamo, King Nadolo and Rahman Kutsanzira.
Chasing log leaders Chicken Inn, Kaindu on Tuesday had this to say about the Highlanders match tomorrow: “I have been there for a number of times and I am very familiar with Barbourfields. Returning there has got its own emotions and feelings, but I am now at Triangle and we are coming there to play football against giants, who had a good show of themselves in their last game (against Dynamos).
“We are doing fine ourselves, we are on position two. I had a warm reception from some people in May and it shows the appreciation that a section of people have for me. But I don’t know how what the reception will be like on Sunday (tomorrow).”
Triangle are coming from a 1-0 home win over ZPC Kariba and will be at Barbourfields with the likes of Pascal Manhanga, who was at Highlanders last year, Lameck Nhamo, Hillary Bakacheza, Tichaona Chipunza and goalkeeper Ronald Mudimu.
Hardlife Mavundi is out on suspension.
