Temba Dube
Lovemore Dube [email protected]
HWANGE’S Castle Lager Premiership ticket hopes will face an acid test tomorrow when they face third placed Nkayi United at Hwange Stadium.
Their closest rivals too, Talen Vision will face a hard running Imbizo side at White City Stadium.
Pacific Breeze Zifa Southern Region League media man Ngqwele Dube said they had deliberately set Hwange and Talen Vision to play on the same day and time. He said that is to ensure that the race stays credible.
“Hwange and Talen Vision will play at the same time until the last game. We want fair competition and hoping the better of the two clinches the ticket to the Premier Soccer League as legitimate and proud representatives of our league,” said Dube.
Hwange lead the standings with 66 points after 29 matches.
This weekend they face a Nkayi United under Dan Ndlovu, a respected coach who has been around for a while working with team like Corrugated and Njube Sundowns with a bunch of no names and achieved recognition.
His Nkayi United, in third place tied with surprise package Jordan at 57 points, will be hoping for a strong finish in a race that they started as favourites but lost ground following coaching changes.
Hwange are coached by Njabulo Dube, whose ZPC (Hwange) was for a long time always a threat in the Zifa Southern Region League.
Sherperd Gadzikwa and top goalscorer Justin Kaunda are the club’s mainstay. Their form in the game may decide the result.
The coalminers playing at home will count on a passionate home support and the sweltering Hwange heat that has been the 13th player at times.
Talen Vision home to Imbizo will hope that changes to their technical team following the departure of Mkhuphali Masuku who had gotten them to a blistering start with an unbeaten run which stretched over 20 matches, have brought stability.
Indiscipline, players breaking camp to drink are some of the challenges the Filabusi side has faced.
Talen Vision are second on the log with 63 points and are watching Hwange closely, hoping the colliery side drops points while they win their own matches.
They are now under Gatsi Munkombwe and have Lizwe Sweswe, a veteran gaffer and Premiership title winner, in their ranks as technical director.
At the back they have not looked the same side with a number of stupid goals conceded ever since veteran William Stima left to join ambitious Blanket Mine who ply their trade in the Central Region.
Johannes Nhumwa’s Jordan who are chasing third place and are having an interest in the proceedings in Hwange tomorrow, will be up against Zimbabwe Saints.
Saints had their confidence boosted by the Tuesday away draw at Victoria Falls Herentals.
Bulawayo Warriors, who are fifth and are eager for a better finish, will hope for maximum points against visiting Victoria Falls Herentals this afternoon.
They have 48 points from 29, the same number as third placed and fourth respectively Nkayi United and Jordan who are third and fourth respectively.
Fixtures
Today: Bulawayo City v Megawatt (Luveve), Bulawayo Warriors v Victoria Falls Herentals (Chiefs Village), Zimbabwe Saints v Jordan (White City), Blackrock v Mosi Rovers (Cancelled), Casmyn v Bosso90 (Turk Mine)
Tomorrow: Zebra Revolution v Njube Spurs (White City B), Talen Vision v Imbizo (White City), Hwange v Nkayi United (Hwange), Khami United v Aqua Stars (Khami)
