Highbury aim to bounce back against log-leaders Casric Stars

Highbury FC plan to get back to their winning ways when they host Motsepe Foundation Championship log-leaders Casric Stars on Friday (3.30pm), Zwide-born right-back Zithulele Mhlontlo said. It is still unclear where the match will take place, with THE Gelvandale Stadium's safety certificate expiring on Thursday. As matters stand, the stadium will not be compliant, though officials are working behind the scenes to make the game happen. Failure by the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality to renew the safety certificate on time left the Gqeberha side stranded without a home venue. Highbury will be hoping they can pull something off. The Yellow Nation lost 2-1 to Leicesterford City away at the Dobsonville Stadium in their previous league fixture. It was the team's first defeat this season. The setback saw coach Kabelo Sibiya's troops drop from third to fourth on the MFC log with 12 points from seven games. "We lost our previous game away, and when we came back, the coach showed us our mistakes and where we went wrong," Mhlontlo said. "We took the criticism positively, and I think going to the Casric game, if we stick together as a team and fight as a team, we could win the game, because we have a good team. "We have good coaches who always motivate us, and they want the best from us. "So, going into Friday's game, I think the spirit is also high among the players. "We are confident that we will get three points if we just stick to what the coach has been teaching us." The 34-year-old former Sinenkani, FC Ravens and Lion City player joined Highbury at the start of the 2024/2025 season. He said players were more confident compared with the previous season. "This is my second season. It is much better than last season, because last season, this time, I think we had three or four points, but now, at least, we have more points and we are in the top four. "So, we see the difference and the positives this season as compared to last season, where there was also a bit of perhaps being scared because it was our debut season. "However, this time around we are more confident," Mhlontlo said.