adminPaul Mundandi in ZVISHAVANE
CHAPUNGU coach John Nyikadzino has stoked flames ahead of their Castle Lager Premiership tie against FC Platinum at Mandava this afternoon by saying that his men will be playing at home.
The two sides meet for the sixth time since 2013 when Chapungu gained promotion and all the matches have ended in deadlocks.
“We are very prepared for the match. We will be playing at home because most of the players in my team are from Zvishavane and they also played for Shabanie Mine,” said Nyikadzino.
“I am also aware that a number of neutrals, including Shabanie Mine fans, will be rallying behind my team.
“I do not know the results yet, but for Platinum to get maximum points they have to work extra hard. The Shabanie factor will positively work for my side.”
Shabanie have goalkeeper Roy Mazingi, Tafadzwa Mombeshora, William Ngonya, Blessed Mbavarira, Marvellous Dikinya, and Allen Tavarwisa who were playing for Shabanie last season.
Tongai Mangwendere was also born here although he made his name elsewhere.
FC Platinum coach, Norman Mapeza, said he was expecting a tight game.
“We are expecting to do well and prove a point tomorrow (today),” he said. “I, however, have a number of injuries in my team.”
They will miss the services of Wisdom Mutasa and Walter Musona who are undergoing trials at FC Senica in Slovakia.
They also no longer have the services of Donald Ngoma who was signed by Young Africans of Tanzania, Obrey Chirwa who left for Hobro IK in Denmark and Aaron Katebe who is in South Africa.
Meanwhile, the Castle Lager Premiership weekend programme got underway yesterday with veteran coach Sunday Chidzambwa picking his first point in charge of ZRP Kariba after a goalless draw against Tsholotsho at Luveve.
The game produced few chances although the hosts had one cleared off the line.
Chidzambwa said although he was happy with a point away from home, there was still a lot of work to be done to make his team stronger.
Online Reporter