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Sikhumbuzo Moyo
HWANGE Football Club have gone on a secret camp outside town as they intensify their preparations ahead of the “Battle of the Mines” clash with FC Platinum in the Mbada Diamonds Cup first round match set for the Colliery Stadium on Sunday. However, the executive insists that the camp is meant to build a sense of belonging and togetherness among the boys, with two crucial games coming up in a short space of time.
After facing off with Kugona Kunenge Kudada boys – who are still reeling over their loss to neighbours Shabanie Mine in the BancABC Sup8r final – Hwange will be back at their once feared fortress to take on reigning league champions and firm title favourites Dynamos on Wednesday next week.
“They are already in camp, outside town as the coaches want full concentration ahead of the two crucial games,” said Hwange secretary and spokesperson Burzil Dube.
Sources though said it’s all to do with mind games and mythical beliefs.
“Remember Hwange lost to the same team in their last league match at home and the whole family believes their game plan was long known by the visitors and besides you know how mining communities behave towards each other,” said a Chipangano supporter.
Statistics and history hugely favours the Lloyd Mutasa coached boys as they have more wins against their mining counterparts since gaining promotion in 2011.
The two sides have met six times so far in league matches and only once did Hwange collect maximum points and coincidentally it happened to be this year at Mandava Stadium when they chalked up a 1-0 win on 22 May. Before then, FC Platinum had collected 13 points out of a possible 18 points from Hwange.
However, being a cup game, statistics and history usually play little significance on the day and the zeal to go back into Africa might spur Hwange into winning the encounter and even go all the way and lift the $130 000 prize money.
Last year, Hwange were knocked out in the first round by another Zvishavane mining town team, Shabanie Mine who humbled them 1-0 before they too were bundled out by FC Platinum on a similar scoreline in the quarter-finals.
The Colliery Stadium also has a history of producing surprises in the Mbada Diamonds Cup. In the maiden year of playing host to the cup, a then struggling Zimbabwe Saints pulled out a shocker when they knocked Highlanders on penalties. Last year the venue played host to a Highlanders versus Monomotapa quarter-final match with Bosso cruising to a 2-0 lead before Monoz put up a supercharged second half performance and drilled three goals past Ariel Sibanda. It ended 3-2 in favour of the Harare side.
Both Hwange and FC Platinum have experienced players who on their day can carry the hopes of their supporters and for Hwange, the spirit of England side Wigan, can carry them all the way.
Wigan stunned all and sundry last season when they won England’s premier cup competition, the FA Cup at the expense of Manchester City and went on to represent England in the Europa League.
Fixtures
Saturday: Shabanie Mine v Chicken Inn (Mandava), Caps United v Motor Action (Sakubva), Buffaloes v Black Mambas ( Rimuka).
Sunday: Hwange v FC Platinum (Colliery), How Mine v Black Rhinos (Barbourfields), Highlanders v Triangle (Barbourfields), Harare City v Monomotapa (Rufaro), Dynamos v Tripple B (Gibbo)
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