BANTU Rovers will be without head coach Methembe “Mayor” Ndlovu who is in the United Kingdom on Grassroot Soccer business, a private voluntary organisation he heads in the country, when they travel to Zvishavane for a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) encounter with Shabanie Mine at Maglas Stadium today.
THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Ndlovu, who took over at Bantu Rovers this season when the team rejoined the PSL, will not be available for the match and is unlikely to be available for their weekend encounter against Chiredzi FC at Luveve Stadium.
Assistant coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu confirmed the absence of the head gaffer saying it would not affect their performance.
“He (Ndlovu) will not be available for our match tomorrow (today). He is in the UK on Grassroot Soccer business. We have enough experience on the bench. We have people who can take care of business. We will do our best,” Mpofu said.
Mpofu will be with former Quelaton coach Farai Sibanda and former Warriors and Highlanders midfield maestro Johannes “General” Ngodzo on the bench.
Tshintsha Guluva wiil be without enterprising midfielder Tafadzwa Kutinyu, who was injured during the win against Chapungu.
“It is a tough game. Shabanie have not lost at home and for us it is our first match away from home. We will also be without four of our players, three are injured and one is suspended,” he said.
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Proud Zireni is on suspension after accumulating three yellow cards while Emberton Tshuma and Emmanuel Dube are out injured.
Zireni and Obadiah Tarumbwa got the goals for Tshintsha Guluva against Chapungu last Saturday while Shabanie were singing the blues at the hands of How Mine who beat them 1-2 on Friday.
Louis Matawu, Talbot Mthombeni, Zvikomborero Biseki and Daniel Chakupe who did not feature in Shabanie Mine’s past three league matches, will be up for selection for today’s encounter.
“Last weekend’s defeat only makes us stronger. Everyone wants to win and they are ready for the match. Matawu, Talbot Mthombeni, Zvikomborero Biseki and Daniel Chakupe are back in the team,” Shabanie Mine coach John Phiri said.
Phiri said constant changing of players had affected them.
“We have been changing players to try and come up with a winning formula and this has affected us. Now that these players are back we hope that we will not have to change again,” he said.
Shabanie Mine and Bantu Rovers are tied on points with six each, Tshintsha Guluva having a superior goal advantage.
