HARARE - Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu has promised a better performance from his charges when the Bulawayo giants host Blue Rangers in a Mbada Diamonds Cup first round tie at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.

The Zambian gaffer blamed complacency for his team’s poor showing against Chicken Inn in Wednesday’s drawn Castle Premiership match, but says will not make wholesale changes to his side in search of a remedy.

“There was a bit of complacency on our side on Wednesday but we will not choose the team with only that in mind,” Kaindu said yesterday.

“We will also consider how the players perform at training and therefore at this time I cannot confirm if we will make any changes to the team.”

The former Highlanders dribbling wizard may be tempted to try out his fringe players against lowly Blue Rangers as a way of showing his regulars that they are not indispensable after their lacklustre performance against Chicken Inn.

Mid-season signing Cleopas Dube, a striker bought from Southern Region Division One championship contenders ZPC Hwange, is one player Kaindu may try upfront after his frontrunners disappointed on Wednesday.

Speedy winger Arnold Ndiweni may also be called upon to add pace to the Highlanders flanks as the team lacked urgency on the wings against Chicken Inn in the absence of Masimba Mambare.

The cash rewards that come with playing in the country’s richest cup competition may prove an incentive for Bosso players to up their game after being completely outplayed by a Thabani Goredema inspired Chicken Inn.

Last year, Highlanders suffered an embarrassing first round elimination at the hands of relegation bound city neighbours Zimbabwe Saints and will be out to avoid a similar experience at the hands tomorrow. - Sakheleni Nxumalo