AFTER thumping Bantu Rovers on Monday to pick up their third win of the season in 11 matches, last season’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title contenders, Harare City, will head to Gweru this afternoon for a clash with Chapungu United at Ascot Stadium.
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City walloped Tshintsha Guluva 4-1 with a brace from Agrippa Murimba with the other goals coming from Phineas Bamusi and substitute Crybert Muvuti.
They have risen from the bottom of the log standings to position 13 with 10 points from three victories and a draw, having lost seven matches. Coach Bigboy Mawiwi yesterday said he believed they had recovered.
“We are in recovery and in the right direction. What we need to do is to be consistent and have character. We are going into a fortress tomorrow (today) in Gweru. Chapungu have not lost at home, but we are motivated and raring to go,” Mawiwi said.
Chapungu will go into today’s match with four key players out as Blessed Mbavarira and Ngonidzashe Murisa are suspended while Charles Mativenga and Calisto Maheya are injured. Mbavarira was shown red card after a crude lunge on ZPC Kariba’s Raphael Manuvire last Saturday at Gwanzura Stadium while Murisa has been suspended for accumulating three yellow cards.
However, Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino who lost 0-1 to ZPC Kariba, said despite City appearing to be on revival, the massacre that befell Bantu Rovers won’t see the light of day in Gweru.
“They are on the rise, but what happened to Bantu Rovers won’t happen to us. It’s not going to be an easy stroll in the park,” Nyikadzino said.
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Meanwhile, dark horses How Mine will entertain FC Platinum at Luveve Stadium on Sunday.
After losing the first two matches, How Mine have not lost in nine matches, winning six times and playing three draws and with that feat, the gold miners sit on position three on the log table with 21 points at par with second-placed Highlanders.
Depending on the results of the weekend matches, How Mine could reclaim the top spot.
Assistant coach Simba Rusike yesterday said: “We don’t want to talk too much, but we will take each game as it comes. We are raring to go and we are injury-free.”
How Mine boast top goalscorer Kuda Musharu and have relatively one of the strongest and experienced squads in the league.
The Philani “Beefy” Ncube-coached side beat Buffaloes 2-1 in the last game at Sakubva Stadium while Lloyd Mutasa’s FC Platinum were held to a 1-1 draw by Black Rhinos at Mandava Stadium. FC Platinum have Marshall Mudehwe, Donald Ngoma and Mitchelle Katsvairo who could carry the day for the Zvishavane-based outfit with their captain Thabani Kamusoko also in top gear, although their problem is consistency.
Fixtures Today: Chapungu v Harare City (Ascot Stadium SS9)
Tomorrow: Bantu Rovers v Buffaloes (Luveve Stadium), Black Rhinos v Triangle United (Rimuka SS9)
Sunday: Dynamos v Highlanders (National Sports Stadium SS9), Hwange v Chicken Inn (Colliery), How Mine v FC Platinum (Luveve), Shabanie Mine v ZPC Kariba (Maglas), Chiredzi v Caps United (Chishamiso)
