IT appears not to be getting any better for Castle Lager Premier Soccer League returnees Bantu Rovers who last won a league match on June 21 when they beat Buffaloes 3-1 at Luveve Stadium.
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Since then, the Methembe Ndlovu-coached side has not picked up maximum points in seven matches, getting three from draws in Bulawayo and losing three away matches to FC Platinum (Mandava), Triangle at Gibbo, Buffaloes (Sakubva) and the fourth away defeat to Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium.
Tshintsha Guluva have lost 11 matches to date with four wins and same number of draws. They are precariously on position second from the bottom on the log-standings with a paltry 16 points. Bantu willclash with fellow strugglers Harare City at Hartsfield Grounds this afternoon.
Their latest defeat was in the Chibuku Super Cup at the weekend losing 0-1 to FC Platinum at Mandava.
It’s time Bantu Rovers started winning and picking up maximum points or else they would return to Division One, where they stayed since 2011 until promotion to the top flight through a Plumtree Chiefs franchise.
Bantu Rovers have experienced players in their squad who could see them ease relegation woes with 11 matches remaining in the league.
Obadiah Tarumbwa, brothers Johannes and Zephaniah Ngodzo, Sizalobuhle Dube and Herbert Dick have blended with the youthful Dalubuluhle Moraka, Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Bukhosi Sibanda, Moses Majika, Emberton Tshuma and Teenage Hadebe. Midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku is key man.
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But they are up against Harare City, coached by Masimba Dinyero, who is yet to lose a match since he joined the Sunshine City Boys.
Harare City are bubbling with confidence after becoming the first team to beat ZPC Kariba and bundling them out of the Chibuku Super Cup on Saturday.
Since joining Harare City, Dinyero has beaten Chiredzi FC 2-1 at Rufaro Stadium on August 1, drawn 2-2 with Shabanie Mine at Maglas Stadium and return home to dismiss Chapungu 1-0.
Dinyero has played four matches without defeat and has the task of moving City up the ladder. They also are in a precarious position, third from the bottom on the log table with 22 points.
After that match, How Mine’s acting head coach Sheunesu Chaka will take on Buffaloes in his first league match in charge at Hartsfield Stadium.
In his first assignment on Sunday, Chaka propelled How Mine to the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup after edging Chicken Inn 1-0 at Mandava Stadium in the first round of the competition.
Chaka was confident of beating Buffaloes this afternoon: “We have been playing badly in the league of late, but we will motivate the boys. We will fight to pick up points and try to survive relegation.
I have been with How Mine as assistant coach and I am not under pressure at all. Morale is high in camp after winning the cup game.
We are not in this competition to make up numbers, so we have to pick up from where we left at the weekend,” Chaka said.
Elsewhere, Chicken Inn will travel to Chishamiso Stadium for a date with Chiredzi this afternoon.
