Sports / Local
Harare take aim at Bosso
18 Sep 2014 at 09:18hrs | Views
Harare City gaffer Masimba Dinyero is confident that his side can upset title chasing Bulawayo giants Highlanders and boost their bid for premiership survival.
The Sunshine Boys, who made a disastrous start to the season and have been in the relegation zone for the greater part of the ongoing campaign, host Kevin Kaindu's Highlanders, who have been among the frontrunners for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship since the start of the season in a match set for Rufaro Stadium in the capital on Saturday.
Both sides go into the match on the back of a successful weekend during which they qualified for the semi-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup.
Incidentally, Harare City and Highlanders will clash in the last four of the $500 000 knockout tournament, making Saturday's league meeting a dress rehearsal for the big cup encounter.
But Dinyero, who is bidding to steer Harare City away from the relegation zone, is intent on focusing on this weekend's league clash.
Harare City, who have lost only once in their last six league games, are placed 10th with 28 points from 22 games, but are just a point clear of the relegation zone and Dinyero is keen to increase that gap, beginning with a victory over a Bosso side that beat his charges 1-0 in their first league clash at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo in May.
"Every coach wants to win and the players have to give a 120% effort. I always have the same sentiments in every game we play, that we have to always give our best. We are at home with Highlanders and yes they are a big team, but we are going to give our best because we now need the points more than ever," said Dinyero, who has won four and drawn one of his six league matches as Harare City's caretaker gaffer.
The former FC Platinum assistant coach, who took over the reins at the Sunshine Boys in July, replacing Bigboy Mawiwi, yesterday said his initial target was to ensure the team survives relegation with the ultimate target being to finish in the top eight.
In what is turning out to be a tightly contested league campaign, Harare City are just two points off a place in the top eight, with eight games left before the end of the season.
"We are taking each game seriously, whether it is a cup game or league game, but what I can say for now is that we need the points so we have to fight in every game that we are going to play in our remaining league matches," said Dinyero.
"I have confidence in my team and am particularly happy with the team work and the confidence that the players have been showing in the recent matches. I believe we will achieve our goals which we have set for a top eight finish. We just have to remain focused," he added.
The Sunshine Boys, who made a disastrous start to the season and have been in the relegation zone for the greater part of the ongoing campaign, host Kevin Kaindu's Highlanders, who have been among the frontrunners for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship since the start of the season in a match set for Rufaro Stadium in the capital on Saturday.
Both sides go into the match on the back of a successful weekend during which they qualified for the semi-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup.
Incidentally, Harare City and Highlanders will clash in the last four of the $500 000 knockout tournament, making Saturday's league meeting a dress rehearsal for the big cup encounter.
But Dinyero, who is bidding to steer Harare City away from the relegation zone, is intent on focusing on this weekend's league clash.
"Every coach wants to win and the players have to give a 120% effort. I always have the same sentiments in every game we play, that we have to always give our best. We are at home with Highlanders and yes they are a big team, but we are going to give our best because we now need the points more than ever," said Dinyero, who has won four and drawn one of his six league matches as Harare City's caretaker gaffer.
The former FC Platinum assistant coach, who took over the reins at the Sunshine Boys in July, replacing Bigboy Mawiwi, yesterday said his initial target was to ensure the team survives relegation with the ultimate target being to finish in the top eight.
In what is turning out to be a tightly contested league campaign, Harare City are just two points off a place in the top eight, with eight games left before the end of the season.
"We are taking each game seriously, whether it is a cup game or league game, but what I can say for now is that we need the points so we have to fight in every game that we are going to play in our remaining league matches," said Dinyero.
"I have confidence in my team and am particularly happy with the team work and the confidence that the players have been showing in the recent matches. I believe we will achieve our goals which we have set for a top eight finish. We just have to remain focused," he added.
Source - Zim Mail
