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Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
VERY few people will envy Gishon Ntini’s job as he battles, against all odds, to help Chiredzi not lose their hard-fought Castle Lager Premiership status, with just eight matches remaining.Ntini seemed to have jumped into the frying pan when he agreed to take over from Moses Chunga, who had fallen out of favour with some of the club’s executive committee members.
But it all is not so rosy for the coach and their next match is against champions Dynamos in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at Rufaro tomorrow.
However, Gizha will remain Gizha and he is unfazed as he warned Dynamos that nothing was impossible in sport.
Maybe he is also reading something into Zimbabwe’s sensational three-wicket victory over Australia at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
“We are coming to Harare to play Dynamos and I know that it’s not going to be easy. Dynamos are at the peak of their game and they will be tough opponents, especially at home.
“Our handicap has been on the limited personnel. We were deserted by 17 senior players when I joined the team and now I have to work with inexperienced youngsters.
“We do not have enough experienced players to fight relegation from such a precarious position on the log. But I have a big task and we have to achieve some results and nothing is impossible.
“Some of the players could be facing Dynamos for the first time and I have to mix them with experienced seniors,” said Ntini.
Ntini’s side shocked Buffaloes 4-3 in the Chibuku Super Cup first round at Sakubva, but he knows they need to remain in the league to play in the same tournament next season.
Dynamos are out of the Chibuku Cup but their 2-0 victory over How Mine in the NetOne OneWallet semi-final tie at Mandava has boosted morale in their camp.
Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro was ejected from the bench by referee Philani Ncube.
“Our boys were being kicked on the ankles and I asked the fourth official why the match referee was not giving free kicks to us.
“But the fourth official told me to sit down and he also threatened me with expulsion and when I reacted after Pakamisa was lunged upon in the second half, I was sent off.
“The fourth official told the referee that I had insulted him but that was never the case. I was actually surprised by the decision,” said Chihoro.
In the other league tie tomorrow, Black Rhinos meet a revitalised Harare City at Rimuka.
Moses Chunga will be leading Buffaloes for the first time when they face Highlanders at Hartsfield.
Castle Lager Premiership Fixtures
Tomorrow: Chapungu v Chicken Inn (Ascot), Dynamos v Chiredzi (Rufaro), Highlanders v Buffaloes (Hartsfield), Black Rhinos v Harare City (Rimuka), Triangle v FC Platinum (Gibbo)
Thursday: Shabanie v Hwange (Maglas), Bantu Rovers v CAPS Utd (Hartsfield)
Friday: How Mine v ZPC Kariba (Hartsfield).
Online Reporter