Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. HIGHLANDERS coach Pieter De Jongh has predicted a tough game when he returns to meet his former club FC Platinum in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Mandava Stadium tomorrow.
De Jongh dumped Highlanders to join FC Platinum in 2020 and has returned to Bosso as the Bulawayo giants are statistically fighting relegation with 33 points, just four above the relegation threshold with seven games before the end of the season.
Highlanders are on position nine as the relegation battles take centre stage, with giants Dynamos, Caps United and former champions, Chicken Inn, also in the relegation matrix.
On his return, De Jongh has won one game and drawn one in the league.
“It’s a league game. We’re going to FC Platinum. It’s an important game, every game is important,” he said.
“It’s a tough game, because everyone knows Platinum are looking like Scottland. It’s all about money, big budget, big players, big coach. But we are in a good mood, we are in a good spirit.
“Three games, two wins, one draw, one win for the league, one draw for the league, victory in the Super Cup.
“Those results give our side a great atmosphere, gives us the spirit. The spirit is good, mood is good, with a few injuries.”
Highlanders are likely to be without injured midfielder Melikhaya Ncube ahead of the crucial tie.
DeJongh said the players that will be available will have to cover up for their injured colleagues.
“Of course, we have three or four injuries. That is difficult because they are key players,” he said.
“When as a coach, you miss key players, that is difficult.
“On the other hand, we have to field 11 players in the line-up. The players who start Saturday need the to do the job.
“And, of course, for every coach, it’s not nice or fine when you miss key players. That goes for any other coach.”
The Dutchman maintains Highlanders need to get to 40 points to stay afloat in the top league.
“We are focused on the league. The target is to score 40 points in the league. We need seven points in seven games, then you are safe,” he said.
“Sometimes you need a draw, sometimes you need a victory. It depends how things go in a game.
“When you play for a league game, you can win, you can draw, and you can lose.
“When you play for Chibuku, there Is always a winner coming. If there is no winner coming in 90 minutes, then there’s a shootout. Now it’s a totally different game, because it’s a league game. A good result is a draw or a win. Of course, we go there for victory.”
FC Platinum sit on position six with 41 points, 13 points shy of log leaders Simba Bhora and with a possible 21 points to fight for, they are mathematically in the race for the honours, come end of season.
For More News And Analysis About Zimbabwe Follow Africa-Press
