Lulu under spotlight

By The NewsDay | May. 11, 2022 | 2 Min read

Mpofu has been under scrutiny from Bosso fans. With the team winning just three matches so far, the draw against Bulawayo Chiefs has ramped up debate on his ability to steer the team to glory.

BY FORTUNE MBELE HIGHLANDERS coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu will be under spotlight again this weekend when his side clashes with perennial rivals Dynamos in a blockbuster Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Sunday.

Mpofu has been under scrutiny from Bosso fans. With the team winning just three matches so far, the draw against Bulawayo Chiefs has ramped up debate on his ability to steer the team to glory.

Bosso trailed Chiefs 2-0 until midfielder Adrian Silla netted a brace towards the end of the match for the Bulawayo giants to settle for a draw, one of the seven draws they have played in 14 games, with three wins and three defeats.

They have an abandoned match against FC Platinum for which they were expected to attend a disciplinary hearing yesterday.

Highlanders started the season on a low-key but the 1-0 win over Dynamos in the Independence Day Trophy final on April 18, won him more time in the Bosso changing room.

Highlanders take on Dynamos, who have not lost a match in nine games, winning seven and playing two draws since they lost to Chicken Inn in February and now rule the roost on the log table while Bosso are in unfamiliar position eleven with 16 points.

Mpofu hopes two of his keys players, vice-captain Nqobizitha Masuku and Rahman Kutsanzira, will be fit for the Dynamos tie after missing the game against Chiefs.

Kutsanzira has been out for some time.

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Ex-Bosso striker Tobias Mudyambanje believes Highlanders will beat Dynamos again on Sunday.

“Dynamos are a wounded lion after the Independence Trophy final defeat and they are coming for revenge. It is not about the league. Highlanders must not be complacent and must forget about the earlier win. It is a different game altogether and our players must change their attitude and must be at the highest level. All our games against Dynamos are cup finals. We are underdogs playing a team that is at the top of the log and playing them is a big challenge and we have to prove critics wrong. Our supporters might not be happy at the moment, but I am confident that Highlanders will win 1-0 or 2-1 on Sunday,” Mudyambanje said.

Warriors’ legend and former Dynamos midfielder Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda tips the Glamour Boys to win the Sunday tie. He called on fans to desist from violent behaviour, accept the decisions of the match officials and the results of the game.

“I watched the Independence Cup final, it was one of the best games that I have watched in the recent past between Highlanders and Dynamos and other league matches.

“I hope they continue with the good football. I am expecting a good game on Sunday and just praying that the fans desist from violence and hooliganism. Statistics at the moment favour Dynamos, but when these two sides meet anything can happen. But this time Dynamos will get it right,” Sibanda said.