Sports / Local
Bosso invade Dembare's domain
26 Jun 2015 at 07:08hrs | Views
HIGHLANDERS coach Bongani Mafu yesterday declared that he was not intimidated by his club's nine-year jinx against Harare giants Dynamos ahead of their epic league clash at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Bosso have not beaten Dynamos since 2006 when they last won the championship under Methembe Ndlovu.
Since then, the Tshilamoya fans have largely had to endure heartaches and pain each time they faced their league's most fierce rivals.
The best the Bulawayo giants have done against Dynamos in the past nine years is to secure a draw.
Speaking at the club's weekly press conference yesterday, the Bosso gaffer said they were determined to halt the bad patch by beating the defending league champions in their own backyard.
"We want to win against the reigning champions as that is something that would make us proud.
"We (the players) are not carrying a burden of 10 years; the club could be, but I want my players to carry a burden of playing football in a very free spirit where they can express their capabilities.
"I can't allow the boys to carry a burden of 10 years when they play.
"They must carry the baton stick of being a Highlanders player and what I demand from everyboy there is to show that they're willing to break a leg for Highlanders," said Mafu.
"I'm looking for a player who is willing to give it all and my selection will be solely based on that."
Mafu admitted that it's not going to be an easy stroll as the Dynamos players are most likely psyched up to continue with their fine run against Highlanders.
"Winning over time breeds confidence, so we should not at anytime underestimate their desire to maintain their victory over us," said Mafu.
Highlanders will be without speed merchant Gabriel Nyoni through injury as well as national team striker Thomas Chideu, who was red carded in the 1-1 draw against How Mine before the two-week Premiership break.
He promised Highlanders fans that good times could be returning for the Bulawayo club, when asked what a win for Bosso would mean to him.
The Dynamos camp seems to be in panic mode ahead of the clash after their technical staff increased the number of training sessions from their usual single session to two per day.
However, two players that have over the years caused misery to Highlanders, Murape Murape and Rodrick Mutuma are no longer in the Dembare camp. Murape has now retired while Mutuma is now at Caps United.
The big match would be beamed live on pay per view channel Supersport 9 and Mafu is delighted by the live screening.
"This match will be on TV and it's a chance for our officials to market themselves to the rest of the continent and enhance their chances of officiating in international matches.
"I want to see my fellow countrymen officiating in international competitions," said Mafu, in an indirect plea to the match officials not to spoil Sunday's big encounter through dubious decisions.
Bosso have not beaten Dynamos since 2006 when they last won the championship under Methembe Ndlovu.
Since then, the Tshilamoya fans have largely had to endure heartaches and pain each time they faced their league's most fierce rivals.
The best the Bulawayo giants have done against Dynamos in the past nine years is to secure a draw.
Speaking at the club's weekly press conference yesterday, the Bosso gaffer said they were determined to halt the bad patch by beating the defending league champions in their own backyard.
"We want to win against the reigning champions as that is something that would make us proud.
"We (the players) are not carrying a burden of 10 years; the club could be, but I want my players to carry a burden of playing football in a very free spirit where they can express their capabilities.
"I can't allow the boys to carry a burden of 10 years when they play.
"They must carry the baton stick of being a Highlanders player and what I demand from everyboy there is to show that they're willing to break a leg for Highlanders," said Mafu.
Mafu admitted that it's not going to be an easy stroll as the Dynamos players are most likely psyched up to continue with their fine run against Highlanders.
"Winning over time breeds confidence, so we should not at anytime underestimate their desire to maintain their victory over us," said Mafu.
Highlanders will be without speed merchant Gabriel Nyoni through injury as well as national team striker Thomas Chideu, who was red carded in the 1-1 draw against How Mine before the two-week Premiership break.
He promised Highlanders fans that good times could be returning for the Bulawayo club, when asked what a win for Bosso would mean to him.
The Dynamos camp seems to be in panic mode ahead of the clash after their technical staff increased the number of training sessions from their usual single session to two per day.
However, two players that have over the years caused misery to Highlanders, Murape Murape and Rodrick Mutuma are no longer in the Dembare camp. Murape has now retired while Mutuma is now at Caps United.
The big match would be beamed live on pay per view channel Supersport 9 and Mafu is delighted by the live screening.
"This match will be on TV and it's a chance for our officials to market themselves to the rest of the continent and enhance their chances of officiating in international matches.
"I want to see my fellow countrymen officiating in international competitions," said Mafu, in an indirect plea to the match officials not to spoil Sunday's big encounter through dubious decisions.
Source - chronicle