HWANGE have a daunting task this afternoon when they lock horns in a Castle Lager Premier League match with Monomotapa, equally seeking to steer clear from the drop zone. FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
Morale is reportedly low at the coal miners with players having allegedly gone without salaries since April, as the team’s financier the Hwange Colliery has not been performing well.
Chipangano also survived relegation on the last day last season. Head coach Nation Dube has to start winning games with 12 matches before the end of the season if Hwange are to survive the chop. They sit precariously on position 13 on the premiership table with 18 points, just four ahead of basement side Motor Action.
Hwange only managed to lure one player in mid-season, grabbing Richard Jongwe from Chicken Inn. They failed to register injury-prone striker Francisco Zekumbawira on time.
Hwange have experienced players that include Nkosana Siwela, David Boriwondo, Gerald Ndlovu, Farai Vimisayi and Gilbert Zulu, among others. Their rivals saw most of their players take flight to neighbouring Harare City and Dynamos at the beginning of the season.
During the mid-season transfer window period, Monomotapa signed five players that include Allan Tavariswa from Dynamos, Lawrence Mhlanga from Bantu Rovers, Gift Kwaramba from Sprouting FC and two from their juniors ranks — Marvelous Mukumba and Admire Mutekenya, as they seek to stay afloat in the Premiership.
Monoz are only four points ahead of Hwange sitting on position 11. One of the experienced players who could spearhead their stay in the Premiership is the skillful Ronald Chitiyo, Kudakwashe Musharu, Hillary Mugoniwa, Charles Rukwanhi, Clive Boroma and Ismael Lawe.
