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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
IN-FORM Chegutu Pirates will make another trip to the capital to face Herentals Under-20 in the ZIFA Northern Region Division One Soccer League at Motor Action tomorrow afternoon.
With a single loss in the race, Pirates are the surprise packages of the season to date after they performed beyond expectations.
Many had ruled them out at the beginning of the season but ‘Dzinza’, as the team is affectively known, lost only once despite facing some tough fixtures, including the drawn game against log leaders Black Mambas last week.
The Day Gutu-coached side managed to come up with a point at Morris Depot last week but will face a stern test against the Young Students, who are also doing well.
Gutu conceded they needed to remain focused and make sure that they collect points.
“The games that we are facing before the mid-season are the toughest, I’m sure, because we are playing mostly teams at the top. Last week’s point against Black Mambas gave us the confidence and we are looking forward to continuing with the same.
“We have a good side that is punching above its weight, and we want to finish the first half strongly. We respect Herentals Under-20 as they are a good side, but we have our targets.
“The team has improved so much and, with the two games to go to the halfway mark, we need to maintain the good form. We are playing away from home so we will do our best.
“After the Herentals match, we will play Commando Bullets which is also a good side, but we will do our best,” said Gutu.
Herentals Under-20 will be without the duo of Chris Ngwende and William Gatsi while Chegutu Pirates will be welcoming back Gift Mwinga.
The other match will see Black Mambas hosting Trojan Stars at Morris as Concession United, who recently registered their first win of the season, travel to Karoi for a date with Karoi United.
In the other match played yesterday, Shamva United managed to upset Ngezi Platinum Under-20 2-0 at Baobab.
Northern Region Fixtures:
Today: PAM v MWOS (Muriel Mine), Commando Bullets v Golden Eagles (Commando), Black Mambas v Trojan Stars (Morris), Karoi United v Concession United (Chikangwe) Kuwadzana), Come Again v Chinhoyi Stars (Rimuka).
Tomorrow: Harare City v ZRP Harare (Motor Action 13:00), Herentals U-20 v Chegutu Pirates (Motor Action 15:00).
Eastern Region Fixtures:
Today: Tenax v Surrey (Mutare Showgrounds)
Tomorrow: Manica Diamonds U-19 v Ruwa (Mutare Showgrounds), Mutare City v Bikita Minerals (Sakubva), JM Busha v FC Wangu Mazodze (Chikondoma), Risitu Tigers v Chiredzi Stars (Ndima High), Midway v FC Hunters (Vengere), Masvingo United v Buffaloes (Mucheke), Grayham v Renco mine (Chiremba).
Central Region Fixtures:
Telone v Loss control (Ascot), Kwekwe United
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