Zimpapers Logo

Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter 

HIGHLANDERS FC coach Baltermar Brito has thrown his weight behind his crop of young players and said fans should appreciate that he is building a winning team for the future.

 Brito said it was unfair for fans to criticise his decision of selecting young players during Bosso’s encounter with Yadah last weekend at the National Sports Stadium.

In that match, Highlanders were leading 0-3 and were in control of the game with 11 minutes to play. Brito then gave a run to the likes of goalkeeper Raphael Pitisi (20) midfielder Prince Ndlovu (16) and Mason Mushore (20). 

Yadah turned on the heat after the visitors withdrew experienced players. A section of fans was not pleased with the nervy finish. They blamed it on Brito’s “last minute” substitutions.

In all this, the coach is of the view that if fans have trust in the players, it would instill confidence and help the team get the desired results.

“In the last game people were really unfair with the youngsters. We panicked a little in the game, not because of them. We had an opportunity to score the fourth and fifth one and one of the passes was from the young ones. This is a team and people should start to look at these youngsters as senior players.

“We gave these youngsters a chance because they deserve it. Credit to them because they work hard and do well at training sessions. We are not just deliberately giving the boys an opportunity but they deserve it,” he said.

Brito called on the fans to come in their numbers and rally behind the team as they fight for another three points against Triangle tomorrow.

“We hope with the help of the supporters we will win the game at home. The supporters will be very important for us to conquer hence we ask them to come in their numbers.. 

“There are no easy games in this league. We met them in a contest different from the one on Sunday. They were at home and now they come to Barbourfields Stadium so it’s a different game altogether. We should focus on what we need to do to win the game,” said Brito. They face the Sugar Boys, who they recently booted out of the Chibuku Super Cup with a 1-0 win at Gibbo to earn a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

 The two sides played a goalless draw in the reverse league fixture at Gibbo in April.

Elsewhere, Bulawayo City will welcome Cranborne Bullets while Harare City meet ZPC Kariba at National Sports Stadium.  Whawha meet FC Platinum at Gweru’s Ascot Stadium.

Bulawayo Chiefs will travel to Mhondoro for a date with equally buoyant Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab Stadium. In their previous fixture Chiefs edged Black Rhinos 1-0 while Ngezi beat Chicken Inn 2-1.

Castle Lager Week 26 Fixtures

Today 

Bulawayo City v Cranborne Bullets ( Barbourfields Stadium), Harare City v ZPC Kariba ( National Sports Stadium), Whawha v FC Platinum ( Ascot Stadium), Ngezi Platinum v Bulawayo Chiefs ( Baobab Stadium)

Tomorrow 

Black Rhinos v Dynamos ( Vengere Stadium), Highlanders v Triangle United (Barbourfields Stadium), Caps United v Tenax CS FC ( National Sports Stadium) 

Tuesday 

Manica Diamonds v Chicken Inn ( Vengere Stadium