WESTERN Panthers, who have already beaten city rivals Old Miltonians (OMs) will be hoping to make it two out of two when they take on Matabeleland Busters in a Nationals Rugby League match at Hartsfield Ground tomorrow.
THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Panthers beat OM 21-15 a couple of weeks ago and they face their second local challenge.
“It is a tricky fixture. We are going to give them a good run and we are looking for maximum points. I will be banking on Slater (Silethokuhle Ndlovu) who did not travel in our last match,” Panthers coach George Mukorera said.
Ndlovu is a former Cheetahs player and has since retired from national duty, but continues to feature in some of Western Panthers’ matches.
Mukorera said they had assembled a stronger side for the Busters match which includes back liners Tich Mupamhadzi, Mayibongwe Ncube and captain Kuda Chimukuyu. He said they also have youthful Terrence Ncube who will play the full-back position.
They will still be without fly-half Busani Ncube who sustained an injury in the season opener against OM.
“We played them in pre-season matches and we know what to expect. Their front line is strong and they have great strength in their scrummage. We do not want to lose our ball in the scrum, so we are working on that. I am happy with the performance of the players they are starting to win, which is good,” he said.
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Mukorera added that last season they started well, but had points deducted for using an unregistered player, Brian Ncube, who is based in the United Kingdom.
“This season we have registered a number of players from South Africa. Gardner Nechironga will be playing for us and we also have Thamsanqa Nyoni and Danai Mhlanga,” he said.
Busters drew against Harare Sports Club and will be hoping for a win this time around. They are placed fifth on the log with 12 points two shy of Western Panthers who are fourth.
Seventh-placed OMs play eighth placed Gweru Sports Club at Hartsfield with only a point separating the two teams.
Harare Sports Club will face their second toughest challenge when they take on defending champions Old Hararians at Harare Sports Club.
Old Hararians are wounded following their defeat to rivals Old Georgians 36-32 and will be aiming at a win. Harare Sports Club have the confidence as they beat Old Georgians 20-19 in their first derby. Old Georgians have a fairly easy outing as they take on struggling Zvishavane Bulls at Harare Sports Club.
Bulls have not registered a win and would be under pressure to start collecting points.
