adminRicky Zililo Sports Reporter
BOTTOM of the table Ajax Hotspurs yesterday declared war on Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League log leaders Bulawayo Chiefs who they host at White City Stadium tomorrow. Ajax Hotspurs are swimming in the murky relegation waters sitting on position 15 on the table with just 19 points from 25 outings.
The struggling Mpopoma side which gave Tsholotsho Pirates a 2-0 hiding in Tsholotsho said they are ready to claim Bulawayo Chiefs’ scalp.
“We are ready for Bulawayo Chiefs and if they think that they can come here and have an easy walk in the park then they have to think again. Being at the bottom of the log doesn’t mean that we have been playing badly because last week we beat Tsholotsho in their backyard. The players are raring to go and Bulawayo Chiefs must know that we are ready for them,” said Gugulethu Dlomo, the Ajax Hotspurs manager.
Former Highlanders and Njube Sundowns midfielder Mephias Webb will lead Ajax Hotspurs which has among other players former national Under-17 midfielder Chrispen Machisi, Peter Mduhwa, Mduduzi Dube, Pardon Dube and Maxwell Mburayi.
Bulawayo Chiefs enjoy a two-point lead and tomorrow’s game will be Thulani ‘Thuts’ Sibanda’s second match in charge after taking over from demoted Rahman Gumbo.
The Plumtree-based outfit have amassed 56 points from 26 outings with second placed Black Boots breathing heavily on their neck with 54 points from the same number of matches.
Sibanda is also wary of Ajax Hotspurs.
“Our preparations have gone on well but to be honest I am a little bit worried about them (Ajax Hotspurs) because they are coached by Farai Sibanda who knows me very well as we worked together from our days at Entumbane Cosmos and Quelaton. He can plot against us but we just have to do away with complacency and take the game to them,” said Sibanda.
On loan Highlanders striker Cleopas “Balloteli” Dube and Proud “Sjankala” Zireni who were on target against Zimbabwe Saints last Saturday are expected to be part of the team that will face Ajax Hotspurs.
Bulawayo Chiefs have a number of seasoned players who are familiar with the demands associated with being at the top of the table at this stage when competition is heating up.
Gift Saunyama, skipper Lindelani “Vice” Ncube, left back Joseph Museve, Kundishora Chakanyuka, George Majoka, Wilberforce Chiramba, Innocent Kutsanzira and Tedious Mugumanja are capable of leading Bulawayo Chiefs to glory.
In other matches, second placed Black Boots have a tricky tie against New West at Fairbridge. The last time the two sides met Black Boots were 2-0 victors.
Wounded Tsholotsho travel to Bulawayo for a date with Bantu Rovers at Barbourfields Stadium’s outside grounds.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Technosphere v Ntabazinduna (Hwange), Bantu Rovers v Tsholotsho (Barbourfields outside grounds), Mkhosana v Quelaton (Cancelled), Hwange Juniors v ZPC Hwange (Hwange), Bulawayo Jumbos v Mpumalanga (One Brig Barracks), Black Boots v New West (Fair Bridge), Zimbabwe Saints v Rufaro Rovers (Portuguese), Ajax Hotspurs v Bulawayo Chiefs (White City)
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