Pitso banks on Bosso fans

…..as Downs land in Skies

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane hopes Highlanders fans will reciprocate the goodwill shown by his club to Bosso in the past by backing his charges during their Caf Champions League preliminary round tie against Chicken Inn at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.

 

Addressing the media soon after the Absa Premiership log leaders touched down at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, Mosimane said they felt at home in Bulawayo because of their relationship with Highlanders.

“We are home here, Highlanders they know we are good friends, we have a team manager from here (Peter Ndlovu), we gave Highlanders (Kuda) Mahachi, so I hope all their supporters still remember that  and they will support us because we are brothers. We always land here first when we come to play in Zimbabwe so we are good friends with Highlanders and hope ezimnyama ngenkani zizokuza zizosisapota,” Mosimane said.

 

The former Bafana Bafana coach was quick to dispel the notion that his charges have the upper hand over their hosts since the South African top flight is in full swing while the Zimbabwean premiership is yet to get underway.

“This is a different game in another country and we have to come with respect and understand that Chicken Inn is doing well because for them to take the league from DeMbare after four years is something that we have to understand and respect,” Mosimane said.

“We respect Chicken Inn, we know they are strong, we know they won the league, we know they are a team on form and I think they know everything about us because their coach came to South Africa to do his research – which is fair,” he added.

And to demonstrate that he has also done his homework on the Gamecocks, Mosimane went on to declare his admiration of a number of the home team’s players who he mentioned by name.

These include Warriors players Elvis Chipezeze, Lawrence Mhlanga, Danny Phiri and Edmore Chirambadare. Also getting a mention from Mosimane were veteran Clemence Matawu, dribbling wizard George Majika, Mitchelle Katsvairo and defenders Devine Lunga and Ben Nyahunzvi.

Sundowns come into the Caf Champions League preliminary round first leg encounter just a couple of days after edging Soweto giants Orlando Pirates 2-1 to maintain their stranglehold on the Absa Premiership top spot.

 

 

 

Mosimane admitted that his charges could be feeling the effects of taking part in another match 48 hours after taking part in a big game.

“We don’t come with fresh legs. Unfortunately we had a big game against Orlando Pirates and we did not have enough rest but we are not making any excuses because as professionals we should be able to play after 48 hours and Barbourfields is a good pitch, big enough and we will try and contain them and not kid ourselves that we will win easily,” Mosimane said.