Hwange host Triangle

Sport
Hwange head coach Nation Dube says they are anticipating a tough battle when they host Triangle at the Colliery Stadium today despite their good start in the 2014 campaign so far.

CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League pacesetters Hwange head coach Nation Dube says they are anticipating a tough battle when they host Triangle at the Colliery Stadium today despite their good start in the 2014 campaign so far.

Sukoluhle Mthethwa Sports Reporter Hwange kick-started the season with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Buffaloes at home.

Warriors midfielder Rodwell Chinyengetere made a bold statement that he is back following the injury that sidelined him since September 2012 and last season when he scored twice against Buffaloes.

Evans Rusike grabbed a brace while Tafara Chese added the fifth.

The following week the coal-miners came from two goals down to beat FC Platinum 3-2 at Mandava Stadium with Aleck Marime notching a brace.

Dube yesterday said they were geared up for the match against Triangle.

“There is nothing like home advantage anymore. Any team can win anywhere. They won at the Colliery last season and they will come back saying we can win again. It will not be an easy match.

“We are not looking at our position on the log table. It is still too early. One can only look at the log table when they are on top after 29 games when there is only one match left. For now we are just concentrating on the matches,” he said.

Dube said they will be without Isaac Masame who has missed training because he is not feeling well.

Triangle coach Biggie Zuze said they anticipate a tough encounter.

“We respect Hwange. We respect the coach. He is a long-serving coach for Hwange and for continuity reasons that is good. He has been with most of the Hwange players for a long time. They also have experienced players. As for Triangle we are building a new team as most of the players left. It will take time for the team to gel, but I am happy with the way they have been playing. What is important is for our players not to put themselves under pressure,” the former Monomotapa coach said.

He said Courage Denias is out with a left knee injury while Nhamo Lameck is nursing an ankle injury but was due to undergo assessment yesterday ahead of today’s tie.

Zuze said the other players should show that they are eager to play if they come in as replacements.

Lameck emerged hero of the inaugural Lowveld derby after scoring a hat-trick for Triangle in the 3-1 victory against Chiredzi FC at Gibbo Stadium last Sunday.

Triangle are on position eight on the log table with three points after they lost 1-3 to Shabanie Mine in the season opening match.