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Innocent Kurira

Sports Writer

REGARDLESS of CAPS United’s poor form, Highlanders assistant coach Madinda Ndlovu says they will treat the Harare Giants with respect when the two teams clash in a Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final tie at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

CAPS United is having a difficult league season which has seen their win-less streak stretching to nine matches.

Their last league victory came against Green Fuel on August 7.

Since then, they have lost five games and drawn four.

CAPS United edged Hwange 1-0 to progress to the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup.

Hosts Highlanders who booked a quarter-final place by winning 6-5 on penalties against Bulawayo Chiefs are also not on a good run in the league.

Bosso have won one match in their last five games in the league.

Both sides will know a cup game is never determined by league form but is rather a game won by whoever rises to the occasion on the day.

“We are trying to work according to the programme which the coach has given us day by day. We respect CAPS United, make no mistake about that one. We really respect them. But we are not going to let them just walk over our heads just like that. We are going to give them a good fight,” said Ndlovu a hero of many cup and league games over Caps United in the 1980s.

He challenged his troops to forget their present form and focus on winning against CAPS United.

“It’s like a money game where we have to give it our all.

“We have to give it our best. We want to assure our fans that we will give it our best. Let’s not dwell on the defeats we have suffered. Let’s look at things game by game.

“Let’s look at CAPS United and see how we play against them according to the way we have trained. If our system does not work, then tough luck, we know in football there are three results, a win, a loss and a draw.

“Our priority is to win the game. We will do our best to win the game. We are going to be working hard with the players to make sure we win the game. We will ask the players to come to the party. We are doing our best to lift up the boys because at this point in time, they are picking up in terms of morale,” said Ndlovu.

Highlanders have a number of injury concerns going into Sunday’s game. Calvin Chigonero and Archford Faira picked up injuries in yesterday’s training session and are doubtful.

Captain Ariel Sibanda is out with a foot injury.

Devine Mhindirira, Darlington Mukuli and Godfrey Makaruse are also in the treatment room.

The injuries at Highlanders should be a worrying factor, could it be the training or pitch?

Added to that, Bosso will also be without defender Peter Muduhwa and midfielder Brighton Mhanhire, who are with the national team.