Casmyn FC, ZPC Hwange in tricky tie

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
SOUTHERN Region Soccer League debutantes Casmyn FC are confident of extending their unbeaten home run when they take on leaders ZPC Hwange at Turk Mine tomorrow. Casmyn were entrants into the league after Magwegwe Pirates folded but have held their own with impressive performances in the highly competitive second tier competition.

The gold miners are tied sixth with Technosphere and Bantu Rovers on 18 points off 11 games.

Casmyn have played five of their 11 matches at home, winning three and drawing two. The victories were against Mpumalanga, Bulawayo City and Makomo, while the draws were registered against Old Nic Mine and Amagagasi.

On the road, they managed to shock Black Boots and Technosphere. Casmyn coach Mduduzi Mpofu said his charges were geared up for the electricity generators.

Mpofu is confident his team can add ZPC Hwange to their list of victims by becoming the first club to beat the league leaders.

Casmyn have already claimed the scalps of favourites Bulawayo City, Technosphere and Black boots.

“To be honest, the game against ZPC Hwange is going to be difficult because they are enjoying a fine run but we’re equally prepared. I think what gives us an edge over them is that we’re underdogs and this tag has kept us going,” said Mpofu.

“The Casmyn family has been working together to ensure the team continues to post positive results. I’m sure they’ll love to see us maintain our unbeaten record at home with a win.”

Casmyn will pin its hopes on skipper Charles Murusha, who will lead from the back alongside Wilfred Nzondo and the striking duo of Nyasha Manzunzu and Perseverance Sibanda.

They will also bank on midfielder Collin Mbewe to supply Nzondo and Manzunzu with scoring opportunities.

ZPC Hwange will bank on skipper Azele Kabwe, goalkeeper David Bizabani, Bongani Dube, Admire Banda and Israel Mukahanana in their quest to become the first club to leave Turk Mine with maximum points.

Bulawayo Chiefs take on Bantu Rovers in a potentially exciting game at Fairbridge tomorrow.

Morale at Bulawayo Chiefs is high following their 1-0 away win against Amagagasi in Victoria Falls while Bantu Rovers will be aiming to return to winning ways after being edged 0-1 by Bulawayo City.

Bulawayo City have a relatively easy home game against second from bottom side Mpumalanga United at Luveve Stadium while fourth-placed Technosphere travel to Ntabazinduna to face the prison warders.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: Bulawayo Chiefs vs Bantu Rovers (Fairbridge), Old Nic Mine vs Amagagasi (Old Nic Mine), Ntabazinduna vs Technosphere (Ntabazinduna), Indlovu Iyanyathela vs Black Boots (Brady Barracks), Casmyn vs ZPC Hwange (Turk Mine), Hwange Juniors vs Trumus (Hwange), Bulawayo City vs Mpumalanga (Luveve), Nust vs Makomo (Luveve, 12PM)

*All matches start at 3PM unless indicated

Southern Region Soccer League Table

P W D L F A GD Pts

ZPC Hwange 11 7 4 0 12 3 9 25

Bulawayo Chiefs 11 7 2 2 14 5 9 23

Bulawayo City 11 7 2 2 13 4 9 23

Technosphere 11 5 3 3 13 6 7 18

Bantu Rovers 11 5 3 3 11 8 3 18

Casmyn 11 5 3 3 9 10 -1 18

Ntabazinduna 10 5 1 4 14 9 5 16

Black Boots 11 4 3 4 13 11 2 15

Makomo 11 4 3 4 9 9 0 15