AS ROMA coach José Mourinho sent a special message to Highlanders ahead of their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga Stadium on Saturday.
The Special One, as he is affectionately known, previously worked with Highlanders gaffer Baltemar Brito at FC Porto and wished the Bulawayo giants well in the game which endless goalless, although Highlanders extended their unbeaten run.
Morinho’s video message has gone viral on various social media platforms.
“Hello everyone at Highlanders. I am sending a message because Mr Brito is my brother; we fought together for many years. We won many trophies together. He is and will always be my brother and I am so happy that he is doing a great job with you guys at Highlanders. I want to wish him the best in the game against Kariba. You are top of the league so; you have skills for more points and hopefully, you Highlanders can also have an impact and help the future of the Zimbabwe national team. All the best for you guys,” Mourinho said.
Baltemar worked with Mourinho at FC Porto as his assistant when the self-proclaimed Special One led the side to success in the Uefa Champions League in 2004.
The duo were also together at English top side Chelsea before they parted ways in 2007.
In June last year, when Brito came to Highlanders, Mourinho posted another short video speaking highly of the Brazilian-born gaffer, who looks set to end the side’s 17-year-old title drought.
“I am José Mourinho and I am speaking from my heart to say that Brito was a fantastic assistant that I had for many years at Porto and Chelsea and he was my direct collaborator at Inter (Milan) and Real Madrid and we just stopped to work together because he desired to be a head coach which I accepted because he is a very honest guy, organised with very good relations with the players and I would put my reputation on the line to say he is ready to take any job,” Mourinho said back then.
Highlanders played their 18th league game unbeaten in the current season and despite the draw, remained at the top of the log table with 38 points with Ngezi Platinum Stars closing the gap by five points after beating Bulawayo Chiefs at Baobab Stadium.
— NewsDay
