Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. FORMER Castle Lager League champions Simba Bhora, oozing with confidence from two wins and a draw, take on winless Highlanders this afternoon at Wadzanayi Stadium in Shamba.
Former Highlanders coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu is in charge at Simba Bhora and despite Bosso’s slow start to the season, the former Bulawayo giants’ gaffer has lots of respect for the club.
“It’s going to be a tough game for us. We are playing a completely new team from last season; new players, new technical team,” he said.
“They may not have started very well but I think they have assembled a very good team. I watched them when they played Dynamos. It’s a matter of time before they become a force to reckon with.”
Mpofu said Simba Bhora should win at home after they played a goalless draw with newboys Hunters in their own backyard last Saturday.
The Shamva-based side have collected six points from wins over Manica Diamonds and TelOne away.
“We have done well for starters, but we have not won at home. We are going into this game as underdogs,” Mpofu said.
“I will give Highlanders the edge in this encounter, but we are under pressure as Simba Bhora because we have not done well at home.
“We believe our home ground should be a fortress, but we have managed six points, that is two out of two away and just a point at home and that puts us in a difficult situation. We must use home advantage at all costs.”
Simba Bhora’s attackers Blessing Moyo, Carlos Mukumbira and Blessed Ndereki suffered knocks against Hunters last Saturday.
Highlanders have dropped six points in the first three games with draws to Bulawayo Chiefs, Dynamos and MWOS and a win today will be a boost for them as they look ahead to tough matches against FC Platinum at home and away to Scottland FC.
After the draw against MWOS at BF on Wednesday, coach Benjani Mwaruwari said Highlanders were still striving for improvement.
“We need to get better, but one thing that I am glad of is the clean sheet that we have kept,” Mwaruwari said.
“It’s a process like I have always said, but it’s unfortunate as coaches if you don’t get those points. We keep on working and hopefully get where we want to be.”
The player to watch at Highlanders is attacker Mongameli Tshuma.
While goals would not come on Wednesday, the Bosso fans clamour for the inclusion of Kuda Mahachi, who sat it out on the bench.
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