HARARE Harare giants CAPS United and visiting Bulawayo heavyweights Highlanders lock horns in a potentially explosive Premier Soccer League (PSL) encounter at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.Bosso head coach Madinda Ndlovu is confident his charges will rise to the occasion and shake off their not-so-proud record on Rufaros artificial turf.
Their performance away from home has not been very pleasing, especially those games played at Rufaro, the former Warriors winger told the Zimbabwean on Sunday.
Some of my players were from the lower division and playing in the artificial turf was not easy. I think they (Harare Municipality) should consider pouring more rubber and watering the pitch because at times it gets so slippery.
The Bosso mentor refuses to read much into his sides past performances against CAPS United, hoping that todays encounter will end well after the two sides shared the spoils in a controversial one-all draw at Barbourfields stadium in Bulawayo.
The previous match was not really a true reflection of what was on the ground after some controversial decisions by the referee, but this one is a different game altogether. I can say the mistake we made in that last match was allowing our opponents to come back after we had taken the lead and I hope it wont happen again if we get a chance to score first, Ndlovu said.
It is a competition and there can only be three results; we are taking it like any other match considering that we want to add three points to what we have. The second best result will be a draw but if we are not better equipped on the day we will lose, he added.
The visitors are placed eighth on the 16-team log table, having amassed 28 points from their 20 outings while their hosts are in fourth place but with only a single point separating them from Highlanders.
The Green Machines youthful mentor, Lloyd Chitembwe, believes his side has always been consistent in their performance but lady luck has not been their regular companion.
The former Warriors midfield enforcer sees his charges recent 2-1 victory over archrivals Dynamos in the Nestle Charity Shield final as the turning point in Makepekepes fortunes after they went on to beat unpredictable Njube Sundowns 1-0.
Chitembwe who believes in hard work said he did not expect an easy afternoon at Rufaro and urged his players to fight for the three points against a team with a very good coach.
Highlanders have a very good coach; the last time we played them it was a good game. We are looking forward to another good game, he said.
In other PSL matches, pacesetters Gunners date Kiglon, at Gwanzura Stadium while Dynamos take on Highway at Sakubva Stadium in the eastern border city of Mutare.
Post published in: Football