Sports / Local
Highlanders FC aims for top eight finish
07 Nov 2015 at 09:28hrs | Views
AILING Bulawayo giants Highlanders have set themselves an ambitious top eight finish target in a bid to salvage some pride. Bosso have been languishing in the bottom half of the table for the better part of the season and are involved in a tricky tie against relegation haunted Buffaloes at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.
A draw will be good for the army side, but bad for Bosso as it will leave the former champions' hopes of a top eight finish hanging by a thread.
Highlanders are sitting on 11th place with 32 points and need to win all their remaining four games to achieve their new target. Missing out on a top half finish will eliminate them from next year's Top Eight Tournament.
"The truth is that we're now fighting for a top eight finish because we anticipate more trophies (competitions) for teams that finish within that bracket next season," said Bosso technical advisor Cosmas "Tsano" Zulu.
"Last year we finished badly, but we were in the top eight and look now we're playing in the NetOne Easycall Super 8. We've to work harder and make sure we climb the ladder to get into the top eight bracket starting with a win against Buffaloes on Sunday."
He said playing Buffaloes would not be easy because the army side is fighting relegation.
Zulu believes if his charges double their efforts and put in more than when they drew 1-1 with Chapungu last week, they can beat Buffaloes.
Against Chapungu, Bosso enjoyed superior ball possession, something they haven't done for the better part of the season, but still failed to bury the numerous chances they created.
"A big worry for us is that despite enjoying huge possession, we're struggling to take the chances and that can work against us with teams punishing us. About 75-80 percent of our drills are concentrated on finishing, which we're hopeful will come right," said Zulu.
The league's top goal scorer with 12 goals, Knox Mutizwa, is expected to lead the Highlanders' attack alongside Obidiah Tarumbwa.
Nqobizitha Masuku, Edmore Muzanenhamo, Tendai Ngulube, Godfrey Makaruse, King Nadolo, Rahman Kutsanzira, Valentine Ndaba and Simon Munawa will be competing for the four midfield slots.
Highlanders' defence is likely to be made up of Erick Mudzingwa, Felix Chindungwe, Bruce Kangwa and Peter Muduhwa, with goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda starting ahead of Njabulo Nyoni.
Buffaloes will pin their hopes of causing an upset on keeper Chengetai Tandadzayi, defenders George Mukahanana, Phillip Chandisaita and Joseph Jambo, the midfield trio of Takunda Jeffrey, Shepherd Nkata and Roy Mwenga.
They also have former Highlanders striker Jacob Muzokomba to bank on for goals.
A draw will be good for the army side, but bad for Bosso as it will leave the former champions' hopes of a top eight finish hanging by a thread.
Highlanders are sitting on 11th place with 32 points and need to win all their remaining four games to achieve their new target. Missing out on a top half finish will eliminate them from next year's Top Eight Tournament.
"The truth is that we're now fighting for a top eight finish because we anticipate more trophies (competitions) for teams that finish within that bracket next season," said Bosso technical advisor Cosmas "Tsano" Zulu.
"Last year we finished badly, but we were in the top eight and look now we're playing in the NetOne Easycall Super 8. We've to work harder and make sure we climb the ladder to get into the top eight bracket starting with a win against Buffaloes on Sunday."
He said playing Buffaloes would not be easy because the army side is fighting relegation.
Zulu believes if his charges double their efforts and put in more than when they drew 1-1 with Chapungu last week, they can beat Buffaloes.
Against Chapungu, Bosso enjoyed superior ball possession, something they haven't done for the better part of the season, but still failed to bury the numerous chances they created.
"A big worry for us is that despite enjoying huge possession, we're struggling to take the chances and that can work against us with teams punishing us. About 75-80 percent of our drills are concentrated on finishing, which we're hopeful will come right," said Zulu.
The league's top goal scorer with 12 goals, Knox Mutizwa, is expected to lead the Highlanders' attack alongside Obidiah Tarumbwa.
Nqobizitha Masuku, Edmore Muzanenhamo, Tendai Ngulube, Godfrey Makaruse, King Nadolo, Rahman Kutsanzira, Valentine Ndaba and Simon Munawa will be competing for the four midfield slots.
Highlanders' defence is likely to be made up of Erick Mudzingwa, Felix Chindungwe, Bruce Kangwa and Peter Muduhwa, with goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda starting ahead of Njabulo Nyoni.
Buffaloes will pin their hopes of causing an upset on keeper Chengetai Tandadzayi, defenders George Mukahanana, Phillip Chandisaita and Joseph Jambo, the midfield trio of Takunda Jeffrey, Shepherd Nkata and Roy Mwenga.
They also have former Highlanders striker Jacob Muzokomba to bank on for goals.
Source - chronicle
