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Senior Sports Reporter
HWANGE coach Nation Dube has challenged his players to guard against complacency when they take on Bantu Rovers at the Colliery Stadium this weekend.Chipangano suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of How Mine who beat them 2-0 last Saturday with Dube blaming fatigue for the loss. Hwange had played on Thursday at the Colliery and on Friday they were on the road to Bulawayo to face the goldminers who had played on Wednesday.
The coalminers are third on the Castle Lager Premiership log, a point behind log leaders Highlanders who have amassed 12 points from six matches.
In a telephone interview from Hwange after their afternoon training session yesterday, Dube said their defeat against How Mine was water under the bridge and they hope to emerge stronger.
“There is nothing that we can do about the last game but we can control the future by preparing accordingly for upcoming games. I believe that we cannot complain about one game especially at this stage because there are still lots of games remaining and we have to start picking points this weekend,” said Dube.
He is aware that Bantu Rovers will not be easy customers having played to a 2-2 draw during the pre-season. Dube believes that Bantu Rovers’ loss to Chiredzi was because of complacency and has ruled that from his team. He spied on them after their defeat at Luveve Stadium.
“Psychologically we are better than them because we are above them but that doesn’t mean that we underrate them. They are a good side with a couple of talented youngsters capable of causing havoc. To us it’s a tough game because we have supporters who want us to win at all costs. We have to manage that pressure because if we over-do things we might end up making mistakes.”
Hwange will be hoping that defence stalwart David Boriwondo and attacking midfielder Isaac Masame who reportedly missed yesterday’s session due to injuries with Rodwell Chinyengetere doing light training because of a small knock, recover in time for the Bantu encounter.
The coalminers have enough arsenal to gun down Bantu Rovers in the form of national team defender Eric Chipeta, skipper Gerald Ndlovu, Andrew Chuma, Farayi Vimisayi and Aleck Marime.
Bantu Rovers have averaged a point per match and are fifth from the bottom with six points and are aware that a slip at Hwange will see them sink into the relegation zone.
“We are staying positive even though we are not in an ideal position. Everyone has to step up and we need to come up with a good game plan if we are to beat Hwange. They are a good side and even when we drew 2-2 during the pre-season they were a better team.
“We respect them, their confidence is high since they have had a good start but we will try our best to get a positive result,” said Bantu Rovers coach Methembe Ndlovu.
Tshintsha Guluva have been hit by knocks with captain Nqobizitha Masuku pulled out early against Chiredzi to avoid aggravating his injury.
Also in the treatment room are national Under-20 defender Teenage Hadebe, slippery midfielder Raphael Kutinyu, Mduduzi Dube, Lawson Nkomo and Emberton Tshuma.
Senior players who include Zephaniah Ngodzo, Proud Zireni, Sizalobuhle Dube and Obadiah Tarumbwa, who seems to be struggling to rediscover his yesteryear form, have to come off their slumber, explode and lead the youngsters.
Fixtures
Friday: Harare City v Triangle United (Rufaro, 3PM SS)
Saturday: Caps United v Black Rhinos (National Sports Stadium, 3PM SS), Chicken Inn v How Mine (Luveve), Chiredzi v Chapungu (Chishamiso)
Sunday: ZPC Kariba v Highlanders (Gwanzura, 3PM SS), Shabanie Mine v Dynamos (Maglas), Buffaloes v FC Platinum (Sakubva), Hwange v Bantu Rovers (Colliery)
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