Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
GWANZURA promises to be a sea of pink and green this morning, as the old Highfield venue echoes to the beat of Herentals and Correctional Queens.
The iconic arena is expected to fill up, with fans for the Zimbabwe Women Premier Soccer League high-stakes fixture of the season, which has already generated a lot of excitement.
This battle between the log leaders Correctional Queens with 52 points and third-placed champions Herentals (44 points) is too close to call.
But if current form is anything to go by, Herentals, who also have two games in hand over Correctional Queens, may have the edge.
While both sides still have more fixtures coming, it is today’s encounter that could have a huge bearing on the destiny of the title.
“This is a big one for us; it is a fixture you look forward to in every season and take time to prepare.”
“Our preparations have been going on well, we have the full complement of our squad so we are all out aiming for three points.
“We are determined to retain our title for the fourth time and looking at the competition in the league this season, we can’t afford to drop points,” said Herentals coach Simbarashe Dedza.
In the reverse tie, the two sides walked away with a point each following a 1-1 draw.
Agnes Tumbare had found an 11th minute opener for Herentals before Elizabeth Bvunzawabaya levelled matters in time added on.
Last season, this derby was also the title decider at Mkushi Academy Sports Club where Herentals gallantly fought back for a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
On the same day championship rivals Chapungu and Black Rhinos neutralised each other with Chapungu winning 2-1, leaving Dedza’s girls to capitalise.
With Rhinos dropping to second, Herentals needed only four points from their final two games of the season.
However, they went on to collect six points to retain their title for the third successive time.
“We won it in the final minute last season and this is something that we are trying to avoid this time,” added Dedza.
“This time there is no room for mistakes so I told the girls that we need to bring our A-game, collect the points and ensure that we stay at an advantage.”
In their meetings Herentals have lost once, drawn twice.
Correctional Queens’ Mighty Warriors veteran Marjory Nyaumwe is expected to dominate the derby in green, while in the pink camp, eyes will be on Bethel Kondo and Praynance Zvawanda.
Kondo is currently second on the goal scorers’ chart with 16 goals to her name, just one short of Rudo Neshamba and Zvawanda is third with 15.
“There is no better fixture than the Harare Derby to prove your worth as a footballer,” said Correctional Queens team manager Loice Mutimbanyoka.
“These games are always legendary, you get to play in an intimate atmosphere, in the presence of scouts, potential sponsors and fans.”
Mutimbanyoka said her charges will be banking on mental strength to collect maximum points.
“We have been working on it in training, trying to give them difficult decisions during training to weigh their mental fitness levels.
“Such games have a lot of tension and playing away will not make matters any easier hence we need to be psyched up and ready for the game,’’ she said.
Meanwhile, Chapungu will be targeting maximum points when they host Maningi at Manyame Air Base.
The Airforce side hope to keep up with the title race while Neshamba aims to consolidate her position as the leading goal-scorer.
At the bottom of the standings, Red Buffaloes will be aiming to collect their first set of maximum points in the season when they play away to Kwekwe Queens.
Today’s Fixtures
Black Rhinos vs Mpopoma SA (One Commando- 10:00AM); Chapungu vs Maningi (Manyame Air Base); Sheasham vs Highlanders Royals (Bata); Faith Drive vs Platinum Royals (Chaisamba); Kwekwe Queens vs Red Buffaloes (Mbizo); Herentals vs Correctional (Gwanzura); Cranborne Royals vs Harare City (One Commando -14: 00)
Tomorrow
Conduit vs Black Mambas (Wadzanai)
