Cargo take on the big boys

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIFA Northern Region Division One soccer league debutantes Cargo Careers say they are ready for battle when the marathon gets underway today at various venues.

Cargo Careers will clash against ZRP Morris at GMB Aspindale in their first match of the season and their coach, Tendai Chapfika, believes they have done all they can in terms of preparing for the league.

“I think we are now okay because we had enough time to prepare, so I think it’s left to the players to showcase what we have been doing.

“The guys we have are basically new, they have never played in the First Division before.

“We only have about three experienced players in Muchineripi Muneri, Tsungi Mudzamiri and Elias Makago.

“The rest we have taken them from Division Two and Academies but if you look at soccer it’s all about opportunities.

“I believe our opportunity is now and these guys are going to make a lot of noise in the league,” said Chapfika.

Chapfika said they were happy to be starting their quest for success in the league at home.

“This is just a learning curve, just to maintain our franchise in Division One, since it’s our first year.

“We don’t want to put our players under too much pressure, we are aiming the top six or eight.

“We are starting at home and that’s a plus, if we get positive results it will boost the players’ confidence for the next games.

“Tomorrow we are targeting a win, no doubt about that.

“We have seen them (ZRP Morris) playing and we had a chance to play them during the pre-season but we don’t have to read much into that, however, we know a few things about them,” said Chapfika.

While Cargo careers will enjoy home advantage, most of the new teams will be on the road with Zatex taking on Ngezi Platinum at Baobab.

And they are likely to face a tough challenge as Ngezi had a good run in their backyard in the previous season.

Ngezi coach, Clifton Kadurira, said the early games of the season were important.

Fixtures

Today: Karoi v DStv Rangers (Chikangwe), Cargo Carriers v ZRP Morris (GMB Aspindale), Blue Swallows v Starbill (Manyame), Ngezi Platinum v Zatex (Baobab), Herentials v Blue Jets (National Sports Stadium), ZRP FC v DC Academy (Morris), Gunners v Lake Harvest (Rufaro 11.30am), Mushowani v Darwin (Chaminuka).

Tomorrow: Black Rhinos v Seven Flames (Rimuka).