Castle Lager Premier League (PSL) returnees Chapungu head coach John Nyikadzino is not intimidated by the prospect of meeting the league’s big boys in their opening matches.
MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
In their first five encounters Waru Waru, as Chapungu are fondly referred to by their fans will host Bulawayo giants Highlanders, Zimbabwe’s representatives in the CAF confederations cup How Mine and champions Dynamos.
Waru Waru will play all the traditional giants at their home ground in the first half of the season with Caps United coming to Gweru in week 10, Harare City in week 12 and FC Platinum in week 14.
But Nyikadzino is taking the situation as a prospect to relish and is ready to confront their more fancied opponents.
“I am very happy that we will play them early in the season and that they will be coming to our home ground.
“These are the teams in the PSL and we have been preparing to face any opponent in the league, so we are more than ready to face them.
“In the first few matches into the league there will be no pressure on anyone, so we have to capitalise on that.
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“The boys have been motivated by the pre-season matches we have played and performed very well against these big teams,” Nyikadzino said.
In pre-season matches, Waru Waru have proved that they could compete in the country’s top-flight league with some impressive results humbling Highlanders 2-1on penalties in the C G Msipa Charity semi-final, mauling How Mine 5-1 in a friendly match, beating Harare City 1-0 and drawing 1-1 with Dynamos.
Chapungu come into the league after winning the Central Region Soccer League, but the league has a dubious honour of only one of its champions, FC Platinum, having managed to avoid relegation in their maiden season since its inception in 2010.
The Platinum miners challenged for the league’s ultimate price in their maiden season only to lose it to Dynamos on the last day.
