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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
IT will be the real battle of cities when Bulawayo City take on Harare City at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon with the home side eager to maintain their record of seven matches without losing. Amakhosi’s only defeat of the season was on week two, when they lost 0-1 to Tsholotsho in a match that could have easily ended in a stalemate had defender Brighton Dube used his experience and indeed brains and avoided deliberately handling a goal-bound shot. For his troubles, he was duly red carded. It was early into the second half and even if the ball went in, a lot could have happened with 11 players on the pitch.
Coach Philani ‘Beefy’ Ncube has been quietly building his team, with little notice but so much purpose and they seem to have turned the corner with their back to back 1-0 wins over Ngezi Platinum and Mutare City.
Today though they come up against a different rival in Harare City who are coached by legend Moses Chunga who told a press conference in Harare on Thursday that he will be at home in Bulawayo today. He said he wants maximum points this afternoon.
For Bulawayo City, it is a match in which they are expected to defend Bulawayo. They have the players to achieve that in young Lewis ‘Rambo’ Ncube, skipper Xolisani ‘Scara’ Moyo, left back Brighton Chikwenya and the two centre backs Dube and Zibusiso Sibanda.
Last week’s scorer Mkhululi Moyo and veteran Mkhokheli Dube will also be key. Rambo is enjoying an excellent debut Premiership season under Ncube who has given him the leeway to shine and grow his confidence.
Francesco Zekumbawire will lead the visitors’ attack and will get plenty of support from Martin Vengesayi, William Manondo, Tendayi Samanja and the menacing Ronald Chitiyo.
Online Reporter