CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League log leaders Hwange will be hoping to continue from where they left last weekend when they square off against rising Chicken Inn at their fortress, the Colliery Stadium. SPORTS REPORTER
Inspirational right-back Erick Chipeta, who scored the winner from the penalty spot against Dynamos last Sunday, will still be available for the next few games before he packs his bags for the Absa Premier Soccer League where he will be joining returnées Chippa United.
Hwange have not lost at the Colliery going into round 12 of the league programme and head coach Nation Dube said they were gunning for three points once again on Sunday.
“Chipeta is still around and playing his last few matches before he goes to South Africa. He has been instrumental for Hwange. What we have said as a team is whether we play home or away, if we can win let’s go for the win. We don’t believe in home advantage in modern football, but the better team will always win. We have been fighting relegation in the past few years and we cannot say we are aiming for the championship, but we just want to end the season in a respectable position,” Dube said.
Dube said they were still monitoring goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya who sustained an injury in the match against Dynamos, but they have able veteran Timothy Sibanda to replace him if he does not make it for Sunday.
Mawaya was pulled out with a swollen thigh in the 65th minute and replaced by Sibanda.
The coal miners, who have kept a consistent squad from last season, have in camp Aleck Marime, Evans Rusike, Rodwell Chinyengetere, Isaac Masame, Farai Vimisayi and the young Tafara Chese to bank on against Chicken Inn, who last week beat Chiredzi FC 1-0 at Luveve and are on position seven with 16 points.
Chicken Inn will be without Danny “Deco” Phiri who leaves for South Africa today for trials with Polokwane City and Mkhokheli Dube, who is in the United States on private business.
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Coach Joey Antipas, however, said he was happy that injuries in camp have eased.
“It is a tight fixture. We have to go there and play, give it 100% and with the right mentality and composure we can come out with a credible result. Other teams have failed to beat Hwange at home and we are going to give it the best shot. Bheki (Ncube), (Tendai) Mukambi and (Ben) Nyahunzvi are back at training and I would say our injuries have eased. However, Mkhokheli (Dube) is still not around and Deco will be leaving for South Africa tomorrow (today),” Antipas said.
Thomas Chimenya scored the winner against Chiredzi last week.
Ishmael Lawe, Clemence Matawu, Thabani Goredema, Canaan Nkomo, George Majika and Toto Banda are available to bank on.
Moses Jackson and Lawrence Mhlanga held fort in defence with Devine Lunga in good form on the right.
