Desperate times at Hwange

SMARTING from a Chibuku Super Cup first round exit, Hwange technical manager Bongani Mafu has described their Sunday Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie against equally bruised Yadah Stars at Colliery Stadium as tricky.

Hwange have been blowing hot and cold in a development that saw them being kicked out of the country’s prestigious knock out competition when they lost 1-0 to former Cup Kings Caps United in a match that was played at Gweru’s Bata Stadium.

Yadah Stars, who in the past few weeks have proved to be very porous, were booted out of the Chibuku Super Cup competition after a four-goal baptism at the hands of defending champions FC Platinum.

About a fortnight ago, Prophet Walter Magaya’s side suffered a 5-1 league defeat to Dynamos.

“It’s a tricky and challenging game for us. This is a game that we should give our utmost attention to get a positive result which we desperately need.

“We need to avoid errors that are costly. We need to avoid mistakes that do not involve our opposition and remain focused throughout the match. We are as good as any other club in the Premier Soccer League,” said Mafu.

He added: “We need to avoid conceding goals through set pieces which we also witnessed in our last game against CAPS United. We have the personnel to do that. We just need to be cautious and it’s just pleasing that we do not have any injury worries in our camp.”

In their first leg encounter against the Miracle Boys that was played on 26 March, Chipangno prevailed on a 1-2 scoreline.

Meanwhile, Mafu last Saturday engaged on a two-day spying mission that saw him take notes on Simba Bhora and Green Fuel when the two clubs played Dynamos and Chicken Inn respectively in Chibuku Super Cup first round matches.

After watching the first half of the game between Gamecocks and Green Fuel that was played at Luveve Stadium, interestingly, Mafu, a former Highlanders coach, quickly drove to Barbourfields Stadium to witness the second half of the DeMbare versus Simba Bhora tie.

“I am happy that I managed to watch Green Fuel and Simba Bhora. I watched the first half of the Chicken Inn versus Green Fuel match before I quickly drove to Barbourfields to watch Dynamos and Simba Bhora in action.

“Green Fuel and Simba Bhora are among our next league opponents and it was prudent to have a glimpse of them,” said Mafu.

In their first leg match against Green Fuel, Hwange thumped the Chisumbanje based side in a duel that was played at Luveve Stadium.

Mafu’s charges were beaten 2-0 by Tonderayi Ndiraya coached Simba Bhora in the first half of the season.

Perched on position 12 with 21 points, one ahead of Simba Bhora and two behind Green Fuel, the coal miners have since played all their league matches against Dynamos and Chicken Inn.

Fixtures

Saturday: Bulawayo Chiefs v ZPC Kariba (Luveve), CAPS United v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Bata Stadium), Simba Bhora (Chicken Inn (Baobab), Cranborne Bullets v FC Platinum (Nyamhunga ), Herentals v Green Fuel (Mandava)

Sunday: Highlanders v Black Rhinos (Barbourfields), Triangle v Manica Diamonds (Gibbo), Sheasham v Dynamos (Bata)