HARARE City coach Taurai Mangwiro has described Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) newcomers Tsholotsho as an unknown quantity that his charges should not take lightly when the two teams meet in a 2015 PSL opener at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.
SAKHELENI NXUMALO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The former Caps United and Monomotapa coach, however, said the fact that they knew virtually nothing about the top-flight newcomers could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
“Our preparations for the encounter have gone very well and all we have to do is to wait for the game so that we put into practice what we have been practising,” he said.
“We will be squaring up against an unknown quantity and therefore will have to dwell on what we can do and not what we know about them (Tsholotsho).”
The City Fathers will be without injured goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupangedengu as well as Munyaradzi Diro Nyenye and Tinotenda Kadewere who are in the Young Warriors squad that will face Cameroon on Sunday.
Nyamupangedengu recently underwent a knee operation and in his absence the experienced Tafadzwa Dube is expected to do duty between the goal posts.
When asked whether featuring in the season’s opener came with any pressure Mangwiro said his charges were actually eager to get the season underway.
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“We do not feel any pressure at all and actually we have been waiting eagerly for the games to begin,” he said.
“We just have to guard against complacency and should not underrate the opposition.”
Tsholotsho coach Lizwe Sweswe said his boys were excited about playing in the top flight.
“It will not be easy playing our first game in the top-flight as the season opener, but the boys are raring to go,” he said.
“They believe their chance has finally arrived so it is up to them to deliver and we do carry an element of surprise as newcomers.”
Iziqholo zeZwane have a clean bill of health and some of their players that are expected to shine this afternoon include holding midfielder Butholezwe Ncube, former youth internationals Mncedisi Gumede and Kudzanai Machazane, as well as Ocient Ncube and Lynoth Chikuhwa.
