Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
JUST a few kilometres apart in Harare today, Lloyd Mutasa and Joel Luphahla will be keeping an eye on each other.
Mutasa’s impressive newboys MWOS dislodged Simba Bhora coached by Luphahla from the apex of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log table last week.
Both sides who have set their sights on the championship title invade the capital on the same afternoon and on a similar mission but at different venues.
MWOS travel to The Heart Stadium for a tricky assignment against Yadah Stars while Simba Bhora visit unpredictable Herentals at Rufaro.
There is a good chance of the lead at the top changing hands again today should MWOS stumble and Simba Bhora claim maximum points against the Students.
But Luphahla, after watching his side “dropping” points at home in the 1-1 draw against ZPC Kariba at their Wadzanayi fortress last week, is not taking anything for granted.
He is actually wary of the Students.
“We dropped points, now we focus on the away game coming against Herentals, which is difficult. They are a team which play the same as how ZPC Kariba plays. They are difficult to break down, they don’t give away goals easily, they don’t give away points.
“So, it’s a tall order for us. But I trust these boys. I know their capabilities and I know they will go there and redeem themselves,” said Luphahla.
Simba Bhora welcome back the duo of Isheanesu Mauchi and goalkeeper William Thole, who were conspicuous by their absence against ZPC Kariba last week.
The pair had picked up yellow card suspensions and Luphahla had to make some positional changes in that game, giving former CAPS United goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga his first start for the club, while redeploying skipper Blessing Moyo to cover for Mauchi in central defence.
This week, midfielder Butholezwe Ncube is out through suspension.
Simba Bhora, on 37 points trail MWOS by three points on the top of the table.
MWOS, coach Mutasa is walking with a spring in his step.
He received a feather on his cap when he was honoured with the Distinguished Sports Personality Award at the prestigious Dungwiza Community Trailblazers Awards.
“It feels great to be recognised. It shows my contributions are also getting noticed,” he told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
But Mutasa is not taking anything for granted against Yadah, who have been struggling to move away from the relegation zone.
“It’s going to be a tough encounter, as usual. I have said it again and again that any game that you play in the elite league is never easy, more so when you are the log leaders. Everyone gets motivated by playing a side that is at the top of the league.
“But we always keep our players motivated by the fact that they are known and for them to make their names, they need to give a good shift every day,” said Mutasa.
Unfortunately, MWOS will be without injured star midfielder Nigel Matinha today.
Mutasa yesterday appealed to MWOS supporters to make the trip to Heart Stadium and back his team.
“For MWOS to be where it is right now, it was due to the 12th player, which is our fans and we are saying the more we see them coming, the more we are motivated to play for them.
“So, we are urging them to come to Heart and support us because together we are strong.
“This bunch of players, members of my technical team and the executive we always meet our supporters after every match. So we would want to have more positives than negatives to talk about.
“Every time we go into the field of play, we know we are going to be accountable to our supporters. They give us the drive to push forward,” said Mutasa.
MWOS will be keen to consolidate their fine run in their debut season. Mutasa indicated they will beef up in key areas during the mid-season transfer window.
“In terms of players, so far, we are targeting three players at most to come and add more competition into our squad. But like always, we are looking at young boys who still have everything to play for, young boys who need make a name for themselves and at the same time help us attain what we want to attain at the end of the season,” said Mutasa.
Elsewhere, an interesting clash is in store at Baobab where 2023 champions Ngezi Platinum Stars host Scottland seeking to complete a double over the flamboyant debutants.
Ngezi were the first team to burst the Scottland bubble when they handed Tonderai Ndiraya’s men a 2-0 defeat at Rufaro in a reverse fixture. Scottland are keen to bust a winless run, spanning four games.
Yet full points are crucial for both Ngezi and Scottland if they are to stay within touching distance of MWOS and Simba Bhora in the riveting championship race.
After a slow start, to the season, Ngezi have come back strongly, and have eased into third place with 31 points while Scottland are in fifth position on 28 points, albeit “with a game in hand’’.
The Premier Soccer League’s disciplinary committee are still to make a determination on the abandoned match between Scottland and Chicken Inn.
Fixtures:
Today: Herentals v Simba Bhora (Rufaro), TelOne v Dynamos (Bata), ZPC Kariba v Manica Diamonds (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v Chicken Inn (Mandava), Yadah v MWOS (Heart Stadium), Bikita Minerals v Kwekwe United (Gibbo), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Scottland (Baobab).
Tomorrow: Highlanders v GreenFuel (Barbourfields), CAPS United v Triangle (Rufaro)
