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Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS players could be forgiven for developing butterflies in their stomachs each time they start their trip to Harare for assignments.
Their last three matches in the capital have ended in painful defeats.
Only a week ago, Bosso skidded off the title rails after losing 0-4 to CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium while they lost 0-1 to Harare City on a previous visit on September 20.

Bosso also crumbled to a 4-1 defeat to Dynamos in the TM Pick n’ Pay Challenge match at the giant stadium and lost 0-1 to the champions in a league match at the same stadium.

Surely, the football gods have not been smiling on them in Harare.

But caretaker coach, Mark Mathe, remains confident that they will get a good result when they clash with Harare City in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-final at Rufaro tomorrow.

Mathe, who replaced Kelvin Kaindu, is aware of the pressure from the fans to win the match and progress to the final.

Now in danger of ending the year without a trophy, Highlanders need to conjure all their tricks and go all the way to lift the prestigious competition.

“There is a lot to fight for. We have already suffered at the hands of CAPS United but we have to forget that and focus on the job at hand,” said Mathe.

Following the defeat to CAPS United, the Bosso executive, who are equally liable for the poor performance as they frustrated Kaindu, appointed Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu as technical advisor to help Mathe.

“I know they (fans) are not happy with the defeat (against CAPS United). Technically, we are at home but we respect Harare City because the match is at Rufaro,” said Mathe.

Bosso will be the home team, judging by the rules of the tournament, although it is Harare City who will be more comfortable as they use the astro-turf for their home league matches.

“Whoever wants the Cup the most will win at the end of the day. We would have loved to play in Bulawayo but the tournament rules hold for now.

“If we plan and play well we can win and it all goes to mental strength,” said Mathe.

Bosso will be missing Joel Ngodzo and the unsettled Charles Sibanda through injuries.

Veteran Harare City defender, David Kutyauripo, said they were not reading anything into the problems at Bosso.

Francisco Zekumbawire, who scored in their 1-0 win, is struggling to shake off an ankle injury but the Sunshine City Boys’ skipper said they were ready for the challenge tomorrow.

“It’s a big one on Sunday for us. We are ready and everyone is putting maximum effort to be selected in the final 18 for the match,” said Kutyauripo.

One of the oldest players in the Premiership, Kutyauripo challenged his troops to guard against complacency in the semi-final.

“We played them a few weeks back but this is a new game on Sunday. It’s a different game and they will come with a different approach because we always say knockout matches are like money games.

“That is why we are preparing very hard and we know that every team has its own problems and we do not read much into activities at Bosso,” said Kutyauripo.

Kutyauripo has been enjoying his game at City this season and feels that he should get a medal to show for his efforts after the side missed the championship last season on the last day.

“This is a Cup game and everyone is motivated and even Bosso players also want to win and get incentives.

“We have been pushing one another at Harare City so that we achieve something at the end of the season,” Kutyauripo said.

Affectionately known as Diaspora by fans, Kutyauripo has been one of the most colourful players in the league since he returned from a stint in Cyprus and featured for CAPS United, Shooting Stars and Dynamos.