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Bongani Mafu

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
CRESTFALLEN Highlanders FC have little time to lick their wounds as they leave the city this morning headed for the capital to take on league debutants Flame Lily at Larfarge Stadium in a midweek fixture tomorrow afternoon.

Still trying to find their cardinal points after a morale sapping 0-1 defeat to Caps United, whose house is in flames, Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu’s fate could be decided in the next three games, if he lasts that long. After tomorrow’s away encounter, Bosso will be home to Harare City on Sunday before taking on red hot Chicken Inn a week later.

Sources within the Highlanders hierarchy said the executive was last night expected to give Mafu a two game ultimatum. He is on a one year contract.

“It’s only that the executive is divided over this issue, there are hardliners who wanted him gone after the Chapungu loss but others were more moderate and preferred giving him a chance,” said a source. Mafu, though, is believed to have been the board of directors’ project. The executive initially wanted to hire ex Milwall coach Des Bulpin with Mafu as an understudy but that idea was shot down by the board.

While the championship dream is still a huge reality, as Bosso are on 10 points, just eight from leaders and city neighbours Chicken Inn, it’s the failure to convert by the strikers that make many believe the title dream is slowly but surely fading away, seven matches into the season.

On Sunday, Highlanders could have been smacked quite hard had lady luck been on Caps United.

With Gabriel Nyoni, who missed the Chapungu game after allegedly faking injury in an effort to play in the University Games where he was named Player of the Tournament, struggling on the right flank, Mafu surprised many by taking out Valentine Ndaba on the left flank. Rahman Kutsanzira took Ndaba’s place and seemed to struggle with fitness and not doing what Ndaba would do, dash back to cover everytime possession was lost or when left back Bruce Kangwa overlapped.

It was made worse by anchorman Simon Munawa who too was not covering up whenever Kangwa or right back Webster Chingodza made darting runs upfront.

Chingodza, Nqobizitha Masuku and Obediah Tarumbwa were Bosso’s best players against Caps United.

With just three goals in seven matches, this will easily turn out to be Bosso’s worst ever run in the league. On Sunday, not many clear cut chances were created as in previous matches.

Mafu though thinks his boys had a lot of chances and he took to social network to express his thoughts.

“When you cannot get a goal it really can be mind blowing. So, so many chances,” he posted.

Tomorrow’s encounter is clearly a must win for Highlanders ahead of the visit by Harare City over the weekend.

Fixtures:

Wednesday: Tsholotsho v Chapungu (White City Stadium), Harare City v ZPC Kariba ( Rufaro Stadium), FC Platinum v How Mine (Mandava Stadium), Flame Lily v Highlanders (Lafarge Stadium), Dongo Sawmill v Buffaloes ( Vengere Stadium), Chicken Inn FC v Triangle United ( Luveve Stadium)

Thursday: Caps United v Hwange (National Sports Stadium), Whawha v Dynamos (Ascot Stadium)