Highlanders coach, Benjani Mwaruwari admitted the timing of the Jairos Jiri Cup was less than ideal but praised his players for handling the occasion professionally after Highlanders FC edged Dynamos FC 1-0.
Mwaruwari, taking charge of his first match, said the fixture carried weight for both giants but came as the team was still building toward the new season.
“We all know that this feature is very important for Highlanders, even for Dynamos,” Mwaruwari said.
“But I think it came on at the wrong time when we were preparing for the new season to come. So it was my first game though, but I knew that I needed to prepare the team.”
The former Zimbabwe international revealed he deliberately framed the encounter as part of preseason preparations to ease the burden on his squad.
“I told my boys, that this game, they need to take it as if we are in pre-season. I know, if I didn’t do that, they would have the pressure,” he added.
Highlanders ultimately found the breakthrough through Benjamin Odeugun, who fired them ahead in the 50th minute with a fierce, low left-footed strike at the near post, leaving the Dynamos goalkeeper with no chance.
Bosso held firm, giving Mwaruwari a winning start and offering early encouragement ahead of the new season.
