Onsport Reporter
HIGHLANDERS begin a new chapter under coach Try Ncube with a tough Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie against MWOS at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.
Ncube, then assistant coach at the Bulawayo giants, took over on on an temporary basis after the club resolved to part ways with Zambian gaffer Kelvin Kaindu for a string of poor results.
He starts with tough one against MWOS, who beat them in their first game of the season at Baobab Stadium in March.
Ncube is ready for the new challenge and says he is aware the Highlanders multitude of fans want nothing less than a win but knows what tye Lloyd Mutasa-coached side is capable of.
“We are preparing well for the match, so far everything is going according to plan. It’s a game that is a tricky because MWOS are a good side. They lost last week (to Ngezi Platinum Stars). They beat us in our first match of the season but we are prepared to face them and I hope the players have applied themselves well and are going to get a result. We have been working on combinations in midfield and going forward so that we can manage to be scoring goals as a team that will be playing at home,” Ncube said.
“We know our fans want to win and if they really want to win there is no other way. It won’t be easy but our objective is to win on Sunday and we know it’s not going to be easy. We just have to be confident with and without the ball so that we manage to get the result that everyone wants. This is a very big game. They don’t come bigger than this one. But as a coach, an ambitious coach, you know what you have to do and we are going to do what we have to do to get results.”
Midfielder Mckinnon Mushore and goalkeeper Raphael Pitisi are doubtful starters for the game.
MWOS comes to Barbourfields with their bubble having been burst following their first loss in the top flight after being beaten by Ngezi 3-1 last weekend.
The league debutabts coach, Lloyd Mutasa blamed the unavailability of suspended midfielders Valentine Katsande and Tinotenda Mutyambizi for the loss.
He felt their absence led to the midfield being overrun throughout the match.
With their presence in today’s game, it could mean the Norton side are back to their best.
Highlanders sit on position nine on the log table with five wins, eight draws and four defeats against MWOS, who have only lost once in 17 outings.
For the first time in many years, the BF gates will be open early for a curtain-raiser match pitting Highlanders Under-15 juniors against Nkayi Soccer Academy at 11am.
