adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
HERENTALS coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva is convinced they will have a good season in the Northern Region Division One soccer league, which explodes today at various venues.
Herentals host seasoned campaigners, DStv Rangers, at the National Sports Stadium B Arena this afternoon in what promises to be an exciting encounter with both teams gunning for maximum points.
Mutiwekuziva said he is content with the way their preparations have gone prior to the season after having added six new players.
They have roped in defenders Tapiwa Muduma and Blessing Maunganidze from Hartley Academy, midfielders Charles Rukwani from Triangle and Gift Saunyama from Bulawayo Chiefs and strikers Clemence Zimondi and Martin Nyanzira.
“What I can say is we are very prepared for the season. We made additions to the squad for the new season.
“The combinations are coming out, so we are looking forward that the same will be transformed into the new season. So I am not worried, actually I am happy the season has begun.
“I hope my guys remain very sharp, we are hoping the form they had during pre-season can be maintained,” said Mutiwekuziva.
Mutiwekuziva said today’s game will set the tone for them and a win will boost his team’s confidence.
“It’s a very important match because it’s the first game and we should start well. So we are going for three points and it’s a game that can take us through the season because it the first game.
“It boosts the boys’ confidence if they can take all three points and it’s important in the sense that we were good last season.
“Chances are there for us to win the title but this is a race, so I look forward to a very good season. The title or a top four finish is possible. We don’t want to put ourselves and our players under pressure.
“Our preparations have been good,” said Mutiwekuziva.
Herentals, who joined Division One last year, finished the season on position 10 and will be out to continue from where they left off.
Bigboy Mawiwi said the opening games will give them the opportunity to assess his side in terms of their strength and weaknesses.
“As we begin we have no pressure at all. The most important thing is to enjoy football. We will be taking it step by step. We are raring to go, we want to see how it goes, what are our strengths and weaknesses and work on them.
“It’s a tough game, Herentals assembled a very good side. It’s a well organised team so the game will give us a very good picture of what we will experience this season.
“We have no set target but, naturally each and every coach wants to win every game but we will take it step by step,” said Mawiwi.
In other matches today, returnees Chegutu Pirates lock horns with former Premiership side, Flame Lily, at Pfupajena.
Chegutu spent last season in Division Two after they were relegated at the end of the 2014 season.
Karoi United host Gunners at Chikangwe tomorrow while Lake Harvest has a date against Mushowani.
Today:
Chegutu v Flame Lily (Pfupajena), Commando v Golden Valley (Commando), Shamva v ZRP FC (Shamva), Herentals v DStv Rangers (NSS B Arena), Darwin v Black Rhinos (Pfura).
Tomorrow:
Cranborne v ZRP Morris (One Commando), Lake Harvest v Mushowani (Nyamhunga), Karoi United v Gunners (Chikangwe), Banket v Blue Swallows (Banket Kuwadzana).
Online Reporter