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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS’ vice-captain Erick Mudzingwa has appealed to the club’s fans to rally behind the team’s endeavour to maintain its unbeaten record against Triangle United when they clash in a Castle Lager Premiership game at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.

Since being promoted into the Premiership in 2013, Triangle have never beaten Highlanders in a league match. Bosso have won three and drawn three in their previous six encounters.

Highlanders are second on the league table with 30 points from 14 matches and are bubbling with confidence following their defence of the ZNA Commander Charities Shield after beating Harare City 4-2 on penalties.

Mudzingwa said they were in a relaxed mood ahead of the game.

“Beating Harare City on Sunday motivated us a lot and took off some pressure ahead of the Triangle United match. Everyone is raring to go and we want to win for our fans who have really been supportive,” said Mudzingwa.

“As players, we value the backing of our supporters and understand that without them we’re nothing. We’re asking them to come in their numbers for the game because it is from the home games that we get paid our winning bonuses and we promise to fight and win this game for them,” said Mudzingwa.

Highlanders held a crisis meeting on Saturday aimed at finding lasting solutions to their ballooning debt. The club has also acknowledged that it owes players winning bonuses.

The players, however, have no intentions of letting outstanding allowances affect their performance.

“Look, we have to fight and make sure that we make our supporters happy. That way, they will start coming to the ground and the (financial) situation will improve. Our job is to play and win, and that is what we want to do. We’re in a good position to fight for the title and we don’t want to lose focus,” Mudzingwa said.

Bosso lost top spot to FC Platinum, who beat Chicken Inn 1-0 at White City Stadium in a rearranged fixture on Saturday.

The Bulawayo giants are three points behind FC Platinum and can reclaim pole position should they beat Triangle.

The Lowveld side is no pushover and will be spurred by wanting to break the jinx.

Triangle are sixth on the table with 22 points and can move up the ladder if they shock Bosso.

They are visiting Bulawayo for the third time this season, having lost 0-2 to How Mine in an earlier trip before beating Chicken Inn 2-1 in May.

The Lowveld side was inactive at the weekend because of the league’s mid-season break and they come to Bulawayo smarting from a 1-3 away loss to new boys Ngezi Platinum.

They face an unpredictable Bosso side that will be without star player Bruce Kangwa, who is attending trials at Tanzania’s topflight club Azam.

In his absence, Highlanders’ hopes will be on their youngsters, defender Peter Muduhwa, midfielders Brian Banda, King Nadolo and Adrian Silla, as well as striker Prince Dube, who stole the limelight when Bosso beat Caps United 1-0 last week.

Skipper Felix Chindungwe, Mudzingwa, and Tendai Ngulube are expected to guide the youngsters against a Triangle outfit that boasts a number of experienced players.

Former national team defender Guthrie Zhokinyi, striker Ralph Kawondera, 2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Soccer Star of the Year finalist Malvin Gaki and attacking midfielder Lameck Nhamo are the players Bosso should contend with to maintain their unbeaten run against Triangle.

PSL rearranged fixtures

Tomorrow: Highlanders v Triangle United (Barbourfields), Tsholotsho FC v Mutare City Rovers (Luveve)