Bosso stalk Caps

Sport
THE stark reality is that the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title has once again eluded Highlanders as they stalk championship-chasing Caps United at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday with six matches remaining to declare the 2014 winners.

THE stark reality is that the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title has once again eluded Highlanders as they stalk championship-chasing Caps United at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday with six matches remaining to declare the 2014 winners.

FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER

Winning the last six matches for Bosso could just be the tonic for them to defend the Mbada Diamonds Cup, but the other blunt reality is the Bulawayo giants would have to wait for other clubs to do the job for them if they are to lift the championship silverware.

Highlanders have Caps United above them on the log table. The Green Machine leads them by three points. If they lose on Sunday, it’d be bust for the boys in black and white, who last week parted ways with Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu after the debilitating 1-3 defeat to ZPC Kariba.

Bosso, who now have Mark Mathe in charge in the interim, will not be meeting Dynamos and ZPC Kariba again in the league this year from whom they failed to garner maximum points in both home and away fixtures, losing both ties to Dynamos.

Bosso start with Caps on Sunday — who have their last five matches against Triangle, FC Platinum, Buffaloes, Harare City and ZPC Kariba. Hwange. Chipangano trail Bosso by a point and take on How Mine at the Colliery on Sunday.

They will meet Highlanders at home in their last five matches and are left with Black Rhinos, Triangle, Platinum and Buffaloes.

It’s a tough call for Mathe as Highlanders continue their journey without Kaindu. The coach, who was in charge when Bosso clobbered Caps United 4-0 at Barbourfields in May, said it would be folly to read too much into that game.

The interim coach said his boys should just focus on their remaining games and not worry about how other teams would be playing in the last six matches.

“If you look at our last few games, the results have not been coming and the focus should be on our own matches and not worry about how the other teams will play,” he said.

“It will be dangerous to look at how other teams play as we are likely to lose focus. We just have to work hard at collecting maximum points. We don’t have control over games that are not ours. Dynamos, ZPC Kariba, Caps United, Hwange, Platinum and Chicken Inn have a chance, but we are still in the running.

“It’s not going to be easy against Caps and we should forget about the 4-0 win. This is the second half of the season and Caps have been playing well home and away with everyone aiming to collect maximum points.”

Bosso are without Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube, Kudzanai Machazane and the impressive right-back Webster Chingodza, who have not been training due to injury.

The league championship has also been elusive for Caps United who last won the title in 2005 under Charles Mhlauri. Despite facing financial challenges, there is a flicker of hope for the Green Machine to lift it this year.

Caps United sit on position three with 42 points, four behind leaders Dynamos and two behind second-placed ZPC Kariba who have made waves in their first season in top-flight, with only two defeats.

Caps United have not lost in their last five league matches, beating Black Rhinos and Chapungu and playing two goalless draws against Bantu Rovers, Shabanie Mine and How Mine.

Head coach Taurai Mangwiro has weathered the storm at The Green Machine after suffering heckling from club supporters following the goalless draw against How Mine at home, but going on to win against Black Rhinos in Kadoma.

The match against Highlanders on Sunday is a tough test for Caps United as Dynamos head to Mutare for Buffaloes, who beat them 0-1 in May and ZPC Kariba host Triangle after the 3-1 win over Bosso.

ZPC hammered Triangle 5-1 in May at Gibbo.