HIGHLANDERS coach Kelvin Kaindu must have heaved a huge sigh of relief with the win over How Mine in the Chibuku Super Cup on Sunday which comes hot on the heels of the “or else . . .” which his technical side was given last week.
THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
While the “or else . . .” was never explained by Bosso chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede, he did mention that the executive led by Peter Dube had their sights set on the team winning the Chibuku Cup.
Felix Chindungwe, Dumisani Ndlovu and Charles Sibanda scored the goals for Bosso to sail through to the semi-final while Kuda Musharu scored How Mine’s consolation.
Sibanda who was given a written warning together with teammate Joel Ngodzo for misconduct, wanted to silence his critics once and for all which he showed with his celebration.
Sibanda gestured with his fingers that people talk too much as both he and Ngodzo were being criticised by Highlanders supporters for their indiscipline during the TM Challenge in Harare against Dynamos.
Kaindu downplayed the spotlight that his side was under going into the game saying football was a pressure game, but reaching the semi-final was a step forward for them.
As part of Bosso’s efforts to restore discipline in the team, Innocent Mapuranga — who has captained the team since 2011 — was stripped of his armband and sat out the How Mine match.
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The Highlanders mentor said Mapuranga had done well during his tenure as captain and that modern football demanded that a team has a goalkeeper in charge.
Ariel Sibanda, who has always been seen as being too quiet, has taken over the captaincy raising debate on whether he is competent enough.
He is the second goalkeeper since Tapuwa Kapini in 2006, to be named captain of the side.
Kapini was replaced by Gilbert Banda after he left for South Africa before Mapuranga took over in 2011. Banda had moved to FC Platinum before returning to Bulawayo to join How Mine.
“Modern football demands a goalkeeper to be captain because he is looking at everyone. It is easy for him to communicate,” said Kaindu.
Highlanders could also find relief in that their cup games record of late has been poor and proceeding to the next round could be a step in the right direction for them.
Bosso have been booted out or lost in the final of the last five cup games. If they win the Chibuku Super Cup, it would be their second piece of silverware in two years after the Mbada Diamonds’ Cup.
How Mine did not play badly despite the fact that there were lapses in their defence which were noted by coach Luke Masomere.
“There is a problem in defence and I am really concerned. We need to work on that. First it was ZPC (Kariba).
“We conceded two goals then three goals (on Sunday) and against Dynamos it was two goals again. At this rate it is not good,” he said.
Masomere said they were going to concentrate on the league to finish in a more respectable position.
