Dembare fear Bosso backlash

Battle LINES have been drawn between Dynamos and Highlanders ahead of their epic clash at BF tomorrow, and DeMbare coach Genesis Mangombe knows very well that Bosso are more lethal when limping.

Ahead of the two teams' blockbuster clash, the former Yadah coach has equated the Baltemar Brito-coached side to a wounded lion.

Bosso suffered two heavy defeats in their last two matches, losing 2-0 to FC Platinum a fortnight ago, before falling by the same scoreline against Chicken Inn last week.

The defeat to champions FC Platinum was their first loss of the season this year.

The back-to-back defeats have put Bosso under immense pressure, and bouncing back to winning ways with a victory over Dynamos would certainly alleviate some of that.

Mangombe wishes Highlanders had not suffered like that in the last two weeks as he believes this will only motivate them more to win this weekend's match.

"It's not the right time to meet Highlanders," Mangombe told NewsDay Sport.

"Yes, they might be struggling of late, and of course we can capitalise on that. We are all happy they eventually lost some games, but they are a wounded lion now, and facing a wounded lion is always dangerous. They will come out guns blazing to try and revive their chances of winning the league. It's going to be tough for both teams. We will need to work hard to get a result."

Highlanders' recent defeats left the title race wide open as their lead at the top of the log standings was chopped to just two points with 12 rounds of matches remaining.

If they drop more points on Sunday, they could drop to third position on the log standings by the end of the weekend matches.

In contrast, Dynamos have been enjoying their time in the sun.

They are unbeaten in the last five matches, winning three and playing two draws to close the gap on Highlanders to five points.

Mangombe said his boys were buzzing with confidence with every player pushing to get involved.

Brito, with his side still leading the pack despite the two defeats, is unperturbed.

"Preparing a team after two defeats is only difficult when you don't have players with character. If you have players that know they are strong and they have a good mentality, it is not difficult. Our preparations have gone well knowing very well that we are playing a derby. The two defeats are just two defeats but we are still at the top.

"We want to play a good game. The players have been doing well at training," Brito said.

While the Dynamos-Highlanders match has hogged most of the limelight, there are other interesting contests as second placed-Manica Diamonds battle Ngezi Platinum Stars at the Baobab Stadium.

Both sides can ill-afford a drop of points particularly considering that Highlanders' struggles have illuminated both teams' chances of winning their first topflight league title.

In the mid table, FC Platinum will be looking to use home advantage to try and collect all the three points against Caps United who have remained winless in six league matches.

Match day 22 fixtures:

Today: Green Fuel v Sheasham (Green Fuel Stadium), FC Platinum v CAPS United (Mandava), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Manica Diamonds (Baobab), Chicken Inn v Bulawayo Chiefs (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v Herentals (Nyamhunga), Black Rhinos v Triangle (Bata)

Sunday: Yadah v Cranborne Bullets (Baobab), Hwange v Simba Bhora (Colliery), Dynamos v Highlanders (Barbourfields)