adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
NEWLY promoted Castle Lager Premier Soccer League side Bulawayo City coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube has said his team’s pre-season preparations are on course despite losing two training games to Harare City at the weekend.
City went down 0-3 in the first game and 0-2 in the second encounter at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.
Harare City, who were using the games as part of their preparations for the Caf Confederations Cup against AS Adema of Madagascar this coming weekend, got their goals from Honey Chimutimunzeve, Tatenda Tumba and Agrippa Murimba in the first match.
William Manondo scored a brace for the Sunshine City boys in the second game, with the first coming in the 76th minute before completing his double 10 minutes later.
“After conceding two goals at halftime in the first match, we told ourselves that if we don’t concede in 75 minutes, then we would have achieved our objective of checking our endurance level.
The pitch was heavy and we knew that Harare City being a club that is going to Africa were going to give us value for our money, which they did. I’m happy with the way the boys played and in terms of match fitness, we are almost there,” said Ncube.
Bulawayo City fielded some of their latest acquisitions that include utility player Proud “Sjankala” Zireni, who they played on the right side of defence, left linkman Brian “Briya” Chikwenya, defensive midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa and veteran striker Mkhokheli Dube.
Goalkeeper Liberty Chirava came from the bench for Ndodana Sibanda in the second half of the second match alongside striker Thomas Chimenya and attacking midfielder Edmore Muzanenhamo.
Zireni and Chikwenya were signed from Bulawayo Chiefs while Maphosa and Muzanenhamo were at Highlanders last season and Chimenya joined from Chicken Inn.
The 2009 PSL Coach of the Year said they now need to improve their defensive organisation, attack and transition from defence to attack and vice-versa.
To achieve their objectives of getting their players match fit, Ncube said they will be playing friendly matches until the start of the season.
The PSL season will start in April.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu