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Ncube is hoping to be part of the team to face Gunners at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
He joined Highlanders on a low after missing what could have been his third title with three different clubs. On reflection he feels sore that he missed it by just three goals after his FC Platinum side was pipped to the title by Dynamos on the final day of the league championship last year.
“I would have been very happy to make it number three for me. I was looking forward to that milestone having won it twice before,” said the soft-spoken attacking left link at Highlanders.
Ncube, who played previously for Zimbabwe Saints in Bulawayo, won the title with Dynamos in 2007 and earned his second while turning out for Motor Action in 2010.
The midfielder like the rest at Highlanders refuses to talk about the championship as yet saying it’s still a long way to go.
However, he says he would love to win a third with his boyhood club Highlanders.
“Honestly that would be nice if we win it, it would be the third for me, not as many players get the chance to win it with as many clubs let alone two of the biggest in the land. I am hungry for success and I will continue to work harder to be in the team,” said Ncube.
The burly midfielder said the race was still on.
“It’s still too early to talk about the championship, what we have to do is to continue working hard until we get there. It is not an easy race at all, everyday is a challenging one as we fight to stay at the top of the log as a team,” said the star who has recently found his rhythm.
Ncube noted that some of his colleagues were yet to win the title and that was a big motivation as all the players always want to be in the team.
“Some have never achieved, the good thing is everyone is hungry for success at Highlanders. We want to win all the time and all the games. There is unity and that spirit of wanting to go all the way and achieve. The morale is always high and I hope we continue so and on Sunday I promise we will do our best to beat Gunners and stay on song. They are a good team we will not underestimate them,” said Ncube.
On his renewed confidence and new found form, Ncube, who had a sluggish start to his Highlanders stay at the beginning of the year before injury forced him out for a couple of weeks, attributed that to concentration and hard work.
“I have been concentrating a lot on my game and physical condition, I have also with time got to understand how other players play, that has improved my game a lot,” said Ncube.
Ncube’s form will be key tomorrow and subsequent league matches. He has been there before and knows the feeling of walking up the podium to receive a championship medal. He is expected to cool the nerves of the younger players because of his maturity.
Being part of a dynamic midfield formation that has wreaked havoc in the league, Ncube’s contribution will be key.
As is often the norm when any one of outstanding Mthulisi Maphosa, Simon Munawa, Peter “Rio” Moyo, Milton Ncube and Bheki dip in form, the rest is expected to hold the fort with aplomb.
Highlanders come up against a Gunners side which has had its own fair share of financial problems and a departure of Leonard Fiyado and Cliff Sekete, key members of their campaign last year. They have in each year tried to fuse experience with youth with the South African market in mind.
Gunners will face an awesome opponent that has Munyaradzi Diya and Warriors capped Ariel Sibanda jostling to be in between the goalposts, Bruce Kangwa, Atlast Musasa, Masimba Mambare, Innocent Mapuranga and Eric Mudzingwa playing well.
Diminutive Graham Ncube and Beavan Chikaka could lead the attack.
Bosso lead the standings with 39 points while Gunners are fifth from the bottom with 18.
Chicken Inn, who have continued to blow hot and cold with 29 points and lie fifth, are away in Harare where their hosts for today are Monomotapa.
Monos are fourth on the log with 30 points and the Bulawayo team should not expect an easy jog in the park.
Canaan Nkomo, Guide Goddard, Herbert Dick and underrated strong defender Felix Chidungwe are some of the players Chicken Inn will bank on. They have the experienced duo of Evans Chikwaikwai and Tendai Ndoro in attack.
Tendai Ngulube continues to strut his stuff as anchorman at Monomotapa with great ability as he used to while turning out for Njube Sundowns. He has stayed a key member of the Monoz engineroom destroying in midfield and creating opportunities for teammates.
Troubled Quelaton, who seem headed the way of previous failed soccer projects like Cobras, Olympics, Sundowns and Zimbabwe Saints, enter the lion’s den when they clash with champions Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow.
Dynamos are favourites to pocket maximum points while stand-in coach Chipo Tsodzo will feel the hot seat for the first time.
He replaced Philani Ncube, Simba Rusike and Farai Sibanda who all quit Quelaton this week.
Hwange will play host to Harare City, a modest club that has been playing some beautiful football.
Reigning Castle Lager Coach of the Year Tennant Chilumba will look up to Francisco Zvikumbawire, Rodwell Chinyengetere and Zambian international Aaron Katebe to inspire the rest of the team and bag a set of full points.
An explosive Midlands derby is on the cards when Hardboy entertain FC Platinum.
Derbies are hard to predict and players always rise to the bragging rights war and play their best.
With Donald Ngoma back in the fold and showing some good flashes which saw him start on a high in the Champions League this season, Hardbody might discover what has hit them when the platinum miners are already in Zvishavane tomorrow evening.
Ali Sadiki, a player endowed with so much talent and football brain will call the strings in midfield in a supporting role to Ngoma with Charles Sibanda another tricky customer in the box.
Godfrey Tamirepi will be counting on home advantage.
Shabanie Mine will be at home to Motor Action with Luke Masomere hard pressed to see his charges keeping hopes alive for a first ever championship for the town of Zvishavane.
Fixtures
Today: Monomotapa v Chicken Inn (Gwanzura), Black Mambas v Caps United (Morris Depot
Tomorrow: Dynamos v Quelaton (Rufaro), Hardbody v FC Platinum (Ascot), Highlanders v Gunners (Barbourfields), Hwange v Harare City (Colliery), Buffaloes v Blue Rangers (Sakubva).
Online Reporter