UNBEATEN Castle Lager Premier League log leaders Highlanders will be looking to claim their first win over Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab in seven years when the two teams clash in a top of the table encounter this afternoon.
Bosso’s only win at Baobab came back in the very first clash between the two teams in May 2016 and since then they have lost twice and drawn three times.
Infact their last three visits to Mhondoro-Ngezi have ended in draws.
This has always been a difficult fixture for Highlanders who have failed to defeat Ngezi Platinum Stars in the last seven meetings dating back to April 2017.
But this time around Highlanders are a team in form having won all of their previous matches to perch at the top of the standings while they are unbeaten in all the 16 matches they have played to date.
Ngezi have also been holding their own in the local league and have led the race for most weeks so far. Their title credential will be put to test by the Bulawayo giants.
Bosso coach Baltemar Brito, whose side would complete the first half of the season unbeaten if they avoid defeat at Baobab, is wary of the threat posed by Ngezi Platinum Stars.
“We know that it’s going to be a tough match against a team, which is second in the league. They are also preparing for this match so we expect to see a beautiful performance from both teams,” he said.
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“We want to improve the performance of last season where we finished fifth.
"At the start of the season no one put us among the contenders for the championship, so we are not under pressure but we are just enjoying this moment,” Brito added.
Highlanders will be buoyed by the fact that Ngezi Platinum lost in their last home match to Simba Bhora two weeks back.
But Ngezi Platinum will also be eager to burst the Highlanders bubble and narrow their lead at the top of the standings to just one point with a win at the halfway stage.
Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi is unfazed by Bosso’s unbeaten status and has faith in charges to upstage today’s visitors.
“It’s going to be a very interesting game between two very good teams with a lot of tactical discipline. They (Highlanders) have played 16 matches unbeaten; it shows its a very good team with quality players and also with a very good and experienced coach.
“We are also a good team. What we just need is to be at our best to play a very good game. Tactically we need to be disciplined and apply all the aspects of the game correctly from defence, midfield and in attack. We just need to be good enough so that we can contain them.
“But I know it’s not going to be an easy walk in the park. We don’t change how we play just because we are playing Highlanders, who are unbeaten. They are doing well and we are also doing well so on a good day we can beat them,” he said.
Bosso lead the log standings with 34 points from 16 matches while Ngezi Platinum are four points adrift after playing the same number of games.
Today’s fixtures
Dynamos v Yadah FC (Babourfields)
Black Rhinos v Simba Bhora (Bata Stadium)
Triangle v Green Fuel ( Gibbo Stadium)
Herentals v CAPS United (Mandava Stadium)
*All matches start at 3 pm
