HIGHLANDERS’ struggle to beat Dynamos in recent years comes under spotlight this afternoon when the traditional giants clash in the second leg of the Bob 89 Super Cup final at Rufaro.
BY MICHAEL MADYIRA
Bosso arrived in the capital seeking a two-goal margin win to nullify the 2-1 home defeat they suffered in the reverse fixture two weeks ago.
So far unbeaten this pre-season, DeMbare will on the other hand be looking to continue with their dominance over Highlanders, who last beat them through a penalty shootout two years ago in the final of the Independence Trophy.
On the league front, the Bulawayo giants last triumphed over Dynamos in July 2006, leaving the hosts to enjoy the bragging rights.
Today’s tie would be a Herculean task for Bosso who could be hard done by the two goals they conceded at Barbourfields in Bulawayo.
With the availability of striker Milton Ncube still uncertain, Bosso coach Kelvin Kaindu is well aware his team is blunt upfront, which he attributed to their first leg loss.
But the Zambian feels they play better football than their old foes.
- Big send-off for Cont Mhlanga
- Inside sport: The right way to do it
- Panashe Mutasa comes of age at Tenax FC
- Dynamos back to winning ways
Keep Reading
“Chances are 50-50. It is still anyone’s game,” said Kaindu.
“In terms of maintaining possession and knocking the ball around, we are far much better than Dynamos, but we have the problem of failing to score. That is how we lost in Bulawayo. I am not worried though about my strikers because there is always room for improvement.”
After Dumisani “Fazo” Ndlovu’s sluggish performance while partnering captain Innocent Mapuranga at centre back in the first leg, fit again Erick Mudzingwa could be available after training with the team the whole week.
Midfielder Bekhimpilo Ncube has been ruled out with a knee injury with Heritani Masuku expected to start in his place.
Dynamos only have Clive Kawinga as an injury casualty with the striker battling to recover from a sprained ankle.
While DeMbare is enjoying the advantage of an away win, assistant coach Tonderayi Ndiraya does not believe in parking the bus in front of their goal, but thinks they have to attack from the onset.
“We do not want to employ defensive tactics. One hand is holding the trophy, but that does not mean we have already won it, we still need goals for us to be totally safe,” said Ndiraya.
“It is a tight match. Highlanders also want this trophy and we know they will fight to the end but we are also looking at getting the best result. We have been working on rectifying our week areas especially on going forward where we easily lose the ball in the final third.”
