Highlanders technical manager Mandla ‘Lulu’ Mpofu will be looking forward to four players who were part of the two national teams during the one week break – to carry their momentum to Hwange and inspire Bosso to their first away victory of the campaign on Sunday.
Right-back MacClive Phiri and center-back Peter Muduhwa were part of the senior national team that played the FIFA World Cup preliminary round against Somalia, a tie Zimbabwe won 3-2 on aggregate.
Forward and national Under 23 captain Prince Dube and young center-back Andrew Mbeba were representing the country in the third round of the AFCON qualifiers which Zimbabwe lost to South Africa 0-5 on aggregate.
Addressing journalists at the club office on Thursday afternoon, Mpofu said he was worried about the position of the club on the log.
“We want to go to Hwange and get three points. Our approach? Yes, we don’t want to lose. We can get a point, but I think at this moment we really need three points like yesterday,” he said.
Asked whether he was under pressure following a three match ultimatum given to him and his technical team three weeks ago, Mpofu said he was not reading much into other things as he wanted to channel his energy towards getting maximum points against Hwange FC.
On August 30, club executive Chairman Kenneth Mhlophe issued a statement confirming that the technical team was given a three match ultimatum in which Mpofu and his colleagues were expected to collect six points from three matches.
However, the statement did not say anything threatening the job of the coaches in the event that they failed to meet the target.
They have since collected one point from the two matches – losing 1-2 away to Triangle before playing a goalless draw against Mushowani Stars at Barboufields stadium.
“In as much as we can say I am under pressure, my job at the moment is to channel all the energy I have to come up with a strategy and game plan to make sure I go to Hwange and get three points,”
“I think losing three games in a row and getting a draw in the fourth one is a positive step,” He said.
On whether the break might have affected the team ahead of the Hwange match, Mpofu said;
“I wish I could have played the next game in the following week, that was my wish as a coach, but as I said there are things we can’t control, but maybe the four that took part in the national teams, because remember Prince paid two games in five days and the other three (Andrew Mbeba, Peter Muduhwa and MacClive Phiri) are better off in terms of momentum. The four can make these other players play,” Mpofu said.