I’m not a quitter: Mafu

Sport
HIGHLANDERS head coach Bongani Mafu says he is not a quitter despite pressure mounting on him the last couple of weeks following the team's lacklustre performance in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League home games.

HIGHLANDERS head coach Bongani Mafu says he is not a quitter despite pressure mounting on him the last couple of weeks following the team’s lacklustre performance in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League home games.

BY THANDIWE MOYO

In the nine matches so far Highlanders won twice at home against Tsholotsho, 1-0, and Hwange, 1-0, lost at Barbourfields (BF) to Chapungu 0-1 and Caps United 0-1 and drew 1-1 against Harare City last week.

In away games they lost 0-2 to ZPC Kariba , drew 0-0 against Buffaloes won 1-0 against Dongo Sawmill and 3-0 Flame Lilly.

“I’m not a quitter,” Mafu said. “If you think that one day in this life I would walk out, thatwill never happen.

I am not a quitter. I am not going to quit. I’m not playing a prank.

I have not gone back on anything in my life because I believe things could be done with conviction and knowledge and I have both,” he continued.

Mafu joined Highlanders this season taking over from Mark Mathe who was caretaker coach after coach Kelvin Kaindu’s resignation.

He said he had set high standards for himself when he joined the club.

“My target is to win the championship and I’m still in a good position to do that,” he said.

Highlanders are sixth on the log with 14 points, six points away from pacesetters Triangle and Chicken Inn who are on 20 occupying position one and two.

Mafu said it is his responsibility to get the team to perform well and that is all supporters want.

“I am aware of what they want. I will give them a win. Players know what fans need. We cannot speculate and say they hate me.

They do not.Let’s not fool one another.

All that people need is a Highlanders performing well and it is my responsibility and duty to deliver that. I take it fully and give no excuses. I know they want a win,” he said.

The Highlanders gaffer said their aim was to bring back the days when Highlanders’ home ground BF Stadium was a fortress where teams would shudder to play.

“Everyone in camp anticipates the former reputation of the club. I do not know how early we would gel, but believe me, we wanted that yesterday.

That is the mantra we preach every day at training and before every game. BF should be feared by the opposition.

We always anticipate doing that.

I think the best approach as Highlanders is to stop looking at and thinking about the past. We need to make home a fortress now,” he said.