Hwange hope for better against ZPC

Sport
AFTER the 2-5 mauling by Triangle at Gibbo last Sunday, Hwange are hoping for a better result against ZPC Kariba at the Colliery in their second Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the weekend.

AFTER the 2-5 mauling by Triangle at Gibbo last Sunday, Hwange are hoping for a better result against ZPC Kariba at the Colliery in their second Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the weekend.

FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER

The return of head coach Nation Dube, who was with the Under-23 Young Warriors in Harare, when they lost to Triangle, is a big boost for the coal miners against the power utility side who sent Highlanders packing with a 2-0 victory at Gwanzura Stadium last Saturday.

Dube is an assistant to Kalisto Pasuwa for the Under-23 national team together with ZPC Kariba head coach Saul Chaminuka, who had a chance to be with his side against Bosso since they were playing in the capital before the Young Warriors All-Africa Games qualifier against Cameroon at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.

The Hwange gaffer, who returned to the coal mining town on Monday, yesterday said he had been working hard to bring back his boys’ confidence after the first defeat. He has advised them not to be under-pressure because ZPC beat giants Highlanders.

Hwange coach Nation Dube
Hwange coach Nation Dube

“We must revive the confidence of the boys and get a result that will boost their confidence against ZPC. ZPC Kariba beat Highlanders after our loss to Triangle, the boys might be under pressure, but that happens in football. We still have 29 more matches to play and the league is a marathon,” Dube said.

Castle Lager soccer star of the Year (2014) finalist Evans Rusike and veteran Gilbert Zulu got the consolation goals for Hwange at Gibbo.

Dube said all was well in his camp and defender Tonisani Sibelo, who had been injured, had started training. Hwange last week fielded Rusike, Zulu, Aleck Marime, who came in for Creven Banda, Isaac Masame, Farai Vimisayi, Andrew Chuma, Tafara Chese and veterans Gerald Ndlovu and David Boriwondo.

Chese was replaced by second goalscorer Zulu. Also featuring was Munyaradzi Mungadze. For ZPC Kariba Raphael Manuvire returned from a long lay-off due to injury to convert a penalty while Artwell Nyamiwa (pictured) scored the second against Highlanders.

Nyamiwa was on target against Hwange last season when the power utility side beat the coal miners 2-0 at the Colliery in July last year before the two sides played a goalless draw at Gwanzura a few days later.

Fixtures Saturday: Harare City v Chicken Inn (Rufaro), Flame Lily v Whawha (Gwanzura), Chapungu v Dynamos (Ascot), Buffaloes v Triangle United (Vengere)

Sunday: Dongo Sawmill v How Mine (Vengere), Caps United v FC Platinum (NSS), Tsholotsho FC v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Hwange FC v ZPC Kariba (Colliery)