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Innocent Kurira, [email protected] 

HIGHLANDERS saw their biggest let down under Baltemar  Brito last season, a below par conversion rate.

This season returning coach Kelvin Kaindu is determined to improve this aspect by urging every player to aim for goal.

He said the team was slowly improving their offensive skills, but insisted it was crucial for every individual to take responsibility for scoring.

Last season Bosso scored their least number of goals in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) season, in which they found the target 24 times in 34 matches.

This was the worst strike rate by the club since the introduction of the Premier Soccer League in 1993. Bosso won the inaugural championship and scored 53 goals in the process from 30 matches in an Adam Ndlovu-inspired attack. 

Last season, Highlanders started the season well with a water-tight defence, but failed on the offensive under Brito. 

Goals were scarce and most were from set pieces and defender Andrew Mbeba was the architect.

This season, Kaindu has been seeing some positives in front of goal. Highlanders has scored six goals in four matches with strikers Brighton Ncube and Lynoth Chikuhwa among those who have scored for Bosso. The other goals have been scored by Archford Faira and Melikhaya Ncube who is now on two goals. 

Chikuhwa has been on target twice while Ncube has scored once. 

Speaking  ahead of their encounter with Chegutu Pirates on Sunday, Kaindu said it must not be strikers only that find the net. 

“We don’t want to rely just on our strikers in terms of scoring. We want everybody in the team to score. If you have a game and two of your strikers are on target, I think it’s an improvement.

“It is a bit too early for us to talk about progress. I think credit needs to be given to where it is showing that in the last games we had two strikers finding the target. 

“I think it shows an improvement. In the past maybe we had the defenders and midfielders assisting in terms of scoring,” said Kaindu. 

He said the defensive approach adopted by most teams has led to a decrease in the number of goals scored throughout the entire league.

“I think the dynamics of football have changed and teams have become more tactical when it comes to defending. I think any team is capable of defending. If you look at the last game we played against Simba Bhora from the first shot which went off target you could see or know it would be a difficult game and it will not be easy to get goals,” said Kaindu.

Ahead of their clash against Chegutu Pirates, Kaindu is hoping the fans will come in their numbers to rally behind the team.

“Highlanders cannot do without the fans. I think they are a driving force. We enjoyed the support they gave the team in Gweru. They came in numbers before or even after the game they were celebrating with us. And we are hoping and praying the crowd will be there to motivate and encourage the team,” said Kaindu.

He also called on his charges to guard against complacency.

“Our only worry is complacency on our side. But if we can manage to deal with that then it will be better. It becomes tricky when playing teams that have been recently promoted and I think since they came to the league they are doing fairly well,” said Kaindu.

Fixtures:

Saturday 

Arenel Movers v Bikita Minerals (Luveve Stadium), FC Platinum v CAPS United (Mandava Stadium), ZPC Kariba v Herentals (Nyamhunga Stadium), GreenFuel v Ngezi Platinum (GreenFuel Arena), Yadah v Simba Bhora (TBA)

Sunday

Manica Diamonds v Chicken Inn (Sakubva Stadium), Highlanders v Chegutu Pirates (Barbourfields Stadium), Hwange v TelOne (Colliery Stadium) Dynamos v Bulawayo Chiefs (TBA)