HIGHLANDERS coach Kelvin Kaindu is worried by the threat that could be posed by a new look Simba Bhora side when the two teams meet tomorrow at Barbourfields Stadium.
Both teams had a decent start to their current league campaign after picking four points from the opening two matches.
Highlanders beat Dynamos 2-1 in their opener before drawing 1-1 against Bulawayo Chiefs, two matches that gave the Bulawayo giants an early test of their mantle.
But Kaindu believes Simba Bhora, which has assembled what looks like a very formidable side, will give his side the toughest examination yet.
The Shamva-based side made 11 quality additions to their squad in the transfer window and immediately declared their desire to win the championship this season.
This is only their second season in the topflight league.
“They have assembled a good team,“ Kaindu said.
“They went on the market to get what they were looking for. It’s not easy to face teams like that, especially when the team comes out and says that this is the objective they want, from the coaches, the sponsors and the management.
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“We go into this knowing what we are facing and only if we can be composed and take advantage of that when we are playing at home.”
Simba Bhora strengthened their squad by adding former Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona, Junior Makunike, Billy Veremu, Perfect Chikwende and goalkeeper Simba Chinani, among a host of other new big-name acquisitions.
The Tonderai Ndiraya-coached side started the season with a statement 3-2 away win at last season’s runners-up Manica Diamonds before they were frustrated to a 1-1 draw at their refurbished Wadzanai Stadium before the international break.
Kaindu believes the one-week hiatus to make way for the international break has given him time to fine-tune his team.
“The break came at the right time,” he reckons. “The break gives a bit of an advantage to work on one or two things that may be lacking in the team.”
Kaindu could be without his trusted defender and vice-captain Peter Muduhwa, who was expected to return home yesterday from national duty in Malawi, where he had gone with the Warriors.
Highlanders brought a few new faces to the squad in Reason Sibanda, Marvin Sibanda, Brian Mlotshwa and Brighton Ncube and promoted some players from their development sides.
Ndiraya could also be without Makunike and Musona for the trip to Bulawayo as the two were part of the national team squad that participated in a four-team tournament in Lilongwe.
