Zimpapers Logo

Mukudzei Chingwere Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS have thrown in the towel in this year’s championship race after letting pacesetters FC Platinum open a 16-point advantage with 13 games to go. Bosso assistant coach Mandla Mpofu, who presided over their stalemate against Nichrut over the weekend, said they were not in the race for the championship.

He said winning the title this year, in a season they want to lay out a platform for the team’s revival, was always going to be difficult.

Mpofu said the quest for the league title was never part of their agenda this season.
“We are not racing anything, we are taking each game as it comes, we want to collect as many points as possible and we cannot complain about winning a point on the road,” said Mpofu.

“The objective of the club is clear, we are building a team that can compete and win trophies and win championships in the next two years or so.

“This year has always been about preparations for the coming years, but we need to win as many games as we can and so far, we are in the right direction.”

Highlanders had an extended break following the postponement of their eagerly-anticipated Battle of Zimbabwe showdown against Dynamos.

Mpofu said the extended break affected their rhythm.
“Looking at the three-week break that we had, it could have been a factor, but it is not excuse because we were training.
“First half we did not play well, but in the second half we came back strong and we were doing very well, so it also acted as part of the preparations for our next game on Thursday,” said Mpofu.

Bosso goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, who has transformed himself into a penalty-saving specialist, saved a penalty in that match against the miners. It’s the second straight game that Sibanda has saved a penalty.
Bosso forward, Gabriel Nyoni, said the forwards were letting down the goalkeeper.

“We are letting you down big man,” Nyoni said on Twitter.
“Thank you for the penalty saves, 2 games, 2 penalties saved, 11 clean sheets.”