Harare City eyeing top spot

Sport
ON-FIRE Harare City have a chance to claim the top spot in the Castle Lager Premiership should they beat troubled Hwange at the colliery this afternoon.

ON-FIRE Harare City have a chance to claim the top spot in the Castle Lager Premiership should they beat troubled Hwange at the colliery this afternoon.

Report by Sukoluhle Mthethwa

Log leaders Highlanders on 29 points, faltered yesterday when they lost 2-1 to Caps United in Harare leaving the Sunshine Boys with a chance to jump to the top if they collect maximum points against Chipangano.

Harare is on position two with 28 points after beating city rivals Monomotapa 3-1 at Rufaro Stadium on Thursday. Bosso fell to Chicken Inn 0-1 at BF the previous day. Yesterday’s loss became their second defeat in four days.

However, despite the impressive run that has seen City lose only two matches from 14 games, head coach Bigboy Mawiwi said they expected a tough duel against the coal miners.

“The match against Hwange is going to be very tough. Hwange played on Wednesday and we played on Thursday. I am worried because we had to travel to Hwange, so the players did not get time to rest. Hwange are playing well and they are disciplined, but we will play our normal game.

“We are not looking at the Highlanders and Caps United results because we want to mind our own business and not put pressure on ourselves. Our good form has been a result of hard work and unity of purpose,” Mawiwi said.

He will travel to Hwange without top marksman Osborne Mukuradare after he sustained a knee injury on Thursday against former paymasters Mukuradare had to be pulled off the match. Also not available is Silas Songani who lost his grandfather on Thursday.

Hwange, who have lost their last two matches losing 0-1 to Highlanders before the break and 2-0 to Caps United on Wednesday — are not taking Harare City lightly. Head coach Nation Dube is a worried man.

“Harare City are playing very well. They are on cloud nine and very confident. However, we can beat them. We have been preparing for them because we cannot go for three matches without a win. They are not under pressure like we are because we need to get back on track.

“Harare City will want to play their normal game because they will be away from home and not under any pressure. We need to collect points at home,” Dube said.

Chipangano have in camp Tafara Chese, Nkosana Siwela, Isaac Masame, Evans Rusike and Farai Vimisai with defender David Boriwondo who has had a good game recently.