Big Sundowns contingent scares Kaindu

HIGHLANDERS' Zambian born coach Kelvin Kaindu said the huge number of Mamelodi Sundowns' technical team gave him a bit of a worry as a lone man in the Bosso technical team but remained confident his troops will rise to the occasion this afternoon.

The Bulawayo giants take on the South African Absa Premiership giants in an international friendly match at Barbourfields Stadium with the stadium likely to be filled to capacity. The match has been set for 4pm.

"It's a fact that they brought in a large contingent and the number of their technical team naturally gives one a worry since I am alone and that on its own puts me in a bit of a disadvantage," said the man who led Highlanders to a second place finish in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League where they also went on a record-breaking 23 match unbeaten run.

The Brazilians brought in a huge 15 member technical team that also includes a Biokineticist led by head coach Pitso Mosimane.

A biokineticist  improves a person's physical  status and quality of life through individualised assessment and exercise prescription in the dual context of clinical pathology (acute and chronic) and performance enhancement. Biokineticist  is the profession that uses individually prescribed exercise as a way of preventing medical disorders related to insufficient physical activity and/or for rehabilitating injuries and disease.

However Kaindu was confident of a good show and said they have new faces that they would want to try as they try to build a formidable squad for the forthcoming season.

"We prepared well for the South Africans, we are ready and everyone is looking forward to the game, never mind the friendly part of it as it is only a word otherwise it's a very serious meeting as evidenced by our opponents' entourage," said Kaindu.

Highlanders could welcome back former skipper Gilbert Banda who has been training with the team while former Hwange and Motor Action winger Fortune Fokoza Ncube might also be thrown into the fray. Also in the Bosso camp is the duo of Thabani Moyo and Njabulo Ncube.

All the three Zimbabwean players turning out for the South African glamour club are likely to be given a chance to do duty  this afternoon.

The match could see a sell-out crowd filling Emagumeni to witness what could turn out to be a humdinger of an encounter.

From the Brazilians' morning training session at the match venue yesterday, former Hwange, Shabanie Mine and Caps United utility player, Method Mwanjali, could start as the right back, former AmaZulu strongman and Makokoba-born Esrom Nyandoro will be in the holding midfield position. Former Caps United forward Nyasha Mushekwi will be the front man in a starting line-up that will also see Mamelodi Sundowns skipper Teko Modise playing as a wide midfielder on the left side, with occasional run-ins into the central midfield to provide defence splitting passes to the front runners, setting the stage for an interesting confrontation with Bosso's midfield ruler, Mthulisi Maphosa.

The Pretoria-based side are using the tour to prepare for the second half of their Absa Premiership season where they started off badly and their performance continued to deteriorate under Dutchman Johan Neeskens until the arrival of former Bafana Bafana coach Mosimane.

Meanwhile, Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu will be the guest of honour this afternoon with indications that he has pledged incentives for the Highlanders players if they manage to tame their well paid counterparts.

"The Minister could give them a token of appreciation, something slightly more than their winning bonuses, just to add more sparkle to the match," said a close ally to the minister.

Highlanders chairman Peter Dube could only confirm the presence of Minister Mpofu as a guest of honour.

"I can only confirm that he will be our guest of honour, not the incentive part of it as I am not aware as yet," said Dube.

Mpofu has of late been the club's all weather benefactor together with Tshinga Dube.