Bantu hunt for away win

Sport
BANTU Rovers will be on the hunt for their first points away from home when they take on FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane tomorrow.

BANTU Rovers will be on the hunt for their first points away from home when they take on FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane tomorrow.

THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

The Methembe Ndlovu-coached side have not collected any points on the road and are hoping for a first on the back of an impressive 3-1 home win over Buffaloes last weekend.

FC Platinum are coming from a goalless draw against How Mine and are placed ninth on the log with only two points separating them from 12th-placed Bantu Rovers who are on 13 points.

Bantu Rovers assistant coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu said they were aiming for an upset when invading Zvishavane.

“I think it will be a tough encounter considering that we have also not got a point away from home. We can cause an upset,” he said.

“We have been playing good football. We are getting better with each week and we hope that we will be able to contain the pressure on Saturday (tomorrow) and it could be our first points away come end of the day,” he said.

Captain Nqobizitha Masuku and Lawson Nkomo who were injured in the match against Buffaloes are set to pass a late fitness test.

Masuku picked a muscle injury just above the knee while Nkomo got a knock on the sheen. FC Platinum coach Lloyd Mutasa said Njabulo Ncube, reportedly on his way back to Highlanders, will be out of the match.

“The ball is round, my sister and it can roll anywhere. I can talk more after the game. He (Njabulo Ncube) will be out. He has not been training and we are waiting to hear from him. We were expecting him in the team because he is still a part of us,” Mutasa said.

Thabani Kamusoko, who has been consistent for FC Platinum as a defensive link, will probably be in the team while Bantu Rovers could have Master Mlangeni as his marker to try and contain him.

Kamusoko has combined well with Mitchell Katsvairo, Simon Shoko, Daniel Vheremu, Wisdom Mutasa and Tarisai Rukanda. Donald Ngoma will be out for six weeks due to a shoulder injury while fellow strikers Nelson Maziwisa, Tarisai Rukanda and Stephen Sibanda have been struggling in front of goal.

Bantu will place their hopes on Obadiah Tarumbwa who scored twice against Buffaloes, Proud Zireni, youngsters Tafadzwa Kutinyu and Bukhosi Sibanda. Sibanda has come from the bench to score crucial goals for the team and could find himself in the starting 11.