Hwange declare disaster for CAPS

Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
It’s a match where the Green Machine are seeking redemption after collecting two points in their last three matches and sliding from the top into sixth place on the table.
But Hwange’s Zambian coach Tennant Chilumba yesterday said the coal miners, who are also looking to prop up their ailing campaign, will not be easy customers.
Hwange, who are currently in the bottom eight, are recovering from a poor start and Chilumba who eased the pressure with the 1-0 win over Blue Ribbon on Sunday, believes the victory should spur them on this afternoon.
Most of their matches have ended in draws this season with only two victories to show after nine games.
“People are talking of pressure on the coach but right now I don’t have any. We are not a bad side but, of course, when you are not collecting enough points pressure builds and comes back to the coach.
“But we have talked with the players to apply the right attitude and we are ready for CAPS.
“I am happy the players are showing high levels of confidence and self-belief after that bad start.
“I think they were affected psychologically by three consecutive games that we played away from home and did not get good results.
“But now everyone is in high spirits. We are coming to Harare aiming for three points and, with CAPS United also struggling in recent matches, I think it will be 50-50.
“The Premiership is still open and it’s up to the players to do the job,” said Chilumba.
But Hwange were still sweating for the fitness of defender David Boriwondo, who was expected to pass a late fitness test.
CAPS United, who immediately got back to work on their shortcomings soon after returning from Bulawayo, will be hoping for a change of fortunes after drawing two and losing one of their last three matches.
The Green Machine were unlucky to lose in Bulawayo, after a brilliant first half in which they should have been rewarded with a goal or two, before falling to a last-minute goal.
CAPS United need to get things right to ease pressure on coach Moses Chunga who has been trying hard to win the hearts of the legion of the Makepekepe fans.
“Our performance in Bulawayo was good and, at worst, we deserved a point,” said Chunga.
“The fans were fully behind the team and it helped the boys because they played the game without any pressure at all and we should have scored because we created some good chances.
“But that is football and it can be cruel and we went straight into training when we came back because we need to see crosses into the box for our strikers.
“The players know that they deserved more in Bulawayo and they know they are a good team and we are now focussed on our next match.”
The CAPS United leadership yesterday threw their team into camp, as they try to find answers to their challenges, and they expect the players to be in the right frame of mind against Hwange.
“We don’t camp when we are at home but we decided to go into camp this time because we want the players to be focussed,” said club director Farai Jere.
“We believe we have a good and competitive team and we were impressed by its performance at Barbourfields, in which we were unlucky to lose. So we are trying to find answers as to why we are not crossing the line and we believe if the players and their coaches spend the night in camp, just focussing on the game, we will have a good show.
“Our fans have gone through a lot in recent weeks and we believe we need to give them something to cheer their spirits and this should be the game where our season will turn for the better.”
First choice goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda will miss the tie after seeing red towards the end of the match against Highlanders last Sunday and is likely to be replaced by veteran Muzondiwa Gonese.
Chunga has at his disposal strikers Simba Sithole and Evans Gwekwerere, who have not scored this month, expected to play a crucial role for the Green Machine.
Gwekwerere last scored a league goal on April 30 when they beat Chicken Inn 1-0 and Sithole’s last contribution came in the 4-0 destruction of Shabanie Mine last month.
Five matches will be played in Harare this afternoon.
Soccer Star of the Year Charles Sibanda and Bhekimpilo Ncube come back ‘home’ to Motor Action Sports Club today as Premiership moneybags FC Platinum descend on the capital for a date against the Mighty Bulls.
Interestingly, the midfield duo played a crucial role in securing Motor Action their maiden league championship last year before walking out on the club at the beginning of the season.
Ncube and Sibanda continued with their impressive form and have played a big role in the FC Platinum cause at this early stage of the campaign, with the latter contributing five goals to keep the Premiership moneybags within reach of the leading pack.
Motor Action coach Joey Antipas said the Mighty Bulls, who will also miss two key midfielders Edward Tembo and Isaac Masame through injuries, are bracing themselves for a tough match.
“We have to keep an eye on the two if they are in the team because they were part of us last season and they know something about us, which could be an advantage to FC Platinum.
“But overally FC Platinum are a good team and they are definitely going to be a hard nut to crack.
“They have the strongest squad in the Premiership and we will have to give our best shot,” said Antipas.
Only a single point separates the teams on the table with the defending champions Motor Action leading the race with 18 points.
Antipas believes they need maximum points at home to, at least, create some breathing space at the top of the table where four teams are competing for supremacy this afternoon.
Two draws against Chicken Inn and Zimbabwe Saints in their previous matches have put their three-week reign at the summit under the spotlight as they face fierce challenge from a star-studded FC Platinum, with Highlanders, Chicken Inn and Masvingo all looking to edge closer.
Antipas said The Mighty Bulls are prepared for the duel although they face a tough time in the absence of key forwards Kuda Musahru and Edmore Chitato who went for trials in South Africa last week.
Allen Gahadzikwa, Masimba Mambare and Gift Phiri are expected to pull the strings in the midfield battles.
The Mighty Bulls can only expect a strong challenge from FC Platinum who are eager to regain lost form following a lean spell in which they managed only two points from three games.
Interim coach Philani Mabhena should be feeling the pressure but is on record saying FC Platinum will bounce back after the setbacks that included a 3-0 home defeat against Gunners last week which was followed by 1-1 draw against Chicken Inn at Maglas.
Fireworks are expected when resurgent giants Highlanders face impressive Premiership newboys Chicken Inn in a Bulawayo derby at Luveve this afternoon.
Highlanders’ coach Mkhupali Masuku said they would not underrate their city rivals who have been in good form with five victories, three draws and one defeat in their nine games, to land on third place.
Interestingly, Chicken Inn are unbeaten at Luveve having won their first derby against Zimbabwe Saints at the same venue early this month before a run of two successive draws against Motor Action and FC Platinum.
But Bosso boosted their morale with a 1-0 win over CAPS United at Barbourfields last Sunday.
Veteran leftback Gift Lunga and midfielder Graham Ncube are still out through injuries while Njabulo Ncube, who lost his mother last week will be serving suspension for the red card he picked in the 2-1 defeat to Blue Ribbon recently.
“All the matches have been very competitive this season and we are looking forward to the challenge against Chicken Inn.
“But most derbies are very difficult to predict because each one has its own class.
“At the end of the day it’s the character of the players that decides the outcome of such matches,” said Masuku.
Shooting Stars coach Patson Ndabambi is hoping for his side will be able to bounce back from the 2-0 defeat at Masvingo last week and bag maximum points when they host 2008 champions Monomotapa at Gwanzura.
“It’s a crucial game for us because we don’t want to lag too far behind the other teams until the mid-season transfer window opens.
“So we have made thorough preparations to get the points at home.” Said Ndabambi.
Shooting Stars will miss defender Geeorge Karimupfumbi who was red-carded in Masvingo while goalkeeper Pedzisai Gumiremhete is still nursing injury and will be replaced by Godfrey Brown.
Fixtures
Today
Zimbabwe Saints v Gunners (White City), Shabanie Mine v Dynamos (Maglas), Shooting Stars v Monomotapa (Gwanzura), Black Mambas v Masvingo United (Morris Depot), Blue Ribbon v Kiglon (Rufaro), CAPS United v Hwange (National Sports Stadium), Chicken Inn v Highlanders (Luveve), Motor Action v FC Platinum (Motor Action Sports Club).