Highlands can see the promised land
NFD pacesetters close in on title
‘‘ Sometimes we would do the opposite of what he wanted
National First Division (NFD) leaders Highlands Park are nine points away from the promised land, with a good seven games to spare.
Now on 50 points, Highlands will gain promotion by winning their next three matches.
The Lions of the North are unbeaten in their last 18 league matches, their last defeat was in September, away to Mbombela United.
Ironically, they host United at Makhulong Stadium tomorrow (3.30pm).
Though a quick return to the Premiership seems inevitable, Highlands coach Owen da Gama does not want his charges to get carried away, urging them to remain humble.
“The most important thing now is to be calm... We must remain as humble as we can but continue to work hard. We do not want to think too much about winning promotion. We take it game by game,” Da Gama told Sowetan.
“We have very tough games ahead. We are still going to play AmaTuks, Black Leopards, among other clubs.”
Da Gama has not lost a league match since taking over from Terry Mulondzo and Les Grobler at the NFD side six months ago.
His only defeat came in the first round of the Nedbank Cup when they were eliminated by fellow NFD side Stellenbosch. When I first joined the team I would rush a lot in the box ... thinking about the defender behind me.
“Right now, when I control the ball, I look at the post and just put it in the back of the net,” he boasted.
Elsewhere in the Confed Cup, Cape Town City host Mozambican side Costa do Sol on Sunday (Athlone Stadium, 4pm).