Zimpapers Logo

King Nadolo

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS hope for consistency when they face Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Caps United in a rearranged fixture in Harare on Thursday.

Bosso beat Triangle United 3-1 in their last league game, while Caps drew 0-0 with Black Rhinos to stretch their unbeaten run to eight games. During their purple patch, Caps won five games and drew three times.

For Highlanders, the win against Triangle was their third in a horrendous second half of the season. The only teams to have lost to Bosso since the turn of the half are Shabanie Mine on July 30 and Chicken Inn on October 1.

Between the Shabanie Mine victory and Chicken Inn win, Highlanders went for a barren run of seven games, losing four and drawing three.

Having seen his charges dismantle Chicken Inn 4-0, Highlanders’ coach Erol Akbay thought his lads were on the rise not knowing they had only flattered to deceive, as they fell 1-2 to FC Platinum at home in their next game.

They bounced back at Gibbo Stadium in mid-week and all Akbay is asking for from his players is consistency.

Bosso last registered back-to-back wins in April during a three-match winning streak, claiming the scalps of ZPC Kariba, Tsholotsho FC and Ngezi Platinum Stars.

“The problem is that during the bad spell you are referring to, we forgot to play good football. We also made blunders which cost us games. However, all that is history because we seem to have rediscovered our strength, scoring eight goals in the last three games against tough opponents. We just have to try not to make mistakes against Caps, play good football and score. I want us to win this game and keep doing well,” said Akbay.

To register a good result against Caps, Highlanders should closely monitor striker Dominic Chungwa, who is vying for the Golden Boot accolade with 12 goals. John Zhuwawu and defensive midfielder Devon Chafa have also been among the champions’ best performers during their good run.

Highlanders began their training for Thursday’s match yesterday, with Akbay announcing the return of winger Gabriel Nyoni, midfielder King Nadolo and defender Tendai Ndlovu from injury.

“The good thing is that the players that had been injured are back at training and we will see how they are as the week progresses. The break we had helped us a lot as even those who had slight knocks from the Triangle game are up and running,” Akbay said.

Rescheduled fixture

Thursday: Caps United v Highlanders (National Sports Stadium)

Table

P     W     D     L     F     A     GD     Pts
FC Platinum     29     16     11     2     32     14     18     59
Dynamos     29     17     7     5     48     22     26     58
Ngezi Platinum     29     17     6     6     48     26     22     57
Chicken Inn     29     17     4     8     31     19     12     55
Caps United     28     12     10     6     35     24     11     46
How Mine     29     12     7     10     27     30     -3     43
Highlanders     28     11     7     10     29     26     3     40
ZPC Kariba     29     11     7     11     27    27     0     40
Black Rhinos     29     10     8     11     32     27     5     38
Chapungu     29     9     10     10     20     23     -3     37
Triangle United     29     9     9     11     30     33     -3     36
Bulawayo City     29     10     5     14     31     37     -6     35
Harare City     29     9     7     13     27     24     3     34
Yadah FC     29     8     10     11     27     35     -8     34
Shabanie Mine     29     7     9     12     20     29     -9     31
Hwange     29     8     6     15     23     34     -11     30
Tsholotsho FC     29     3     12     14     17     38     -21     21
Bantu Rovers     29     4     4     21     25     60     -35     16

@ZililoR