adminChipangano is in the murky relegation waters and with seven games left, they are sixth from the bottom with 26 points and need 15 from their remaining league matches to be guaranteed survival.
They begin their quest for survival this afternoon with an away tie against Black Mambas at Morris Depot.
In an interview yesterday, Dube, a former Hwange midfielder, admitted that they were in a precarious position on the log and they could therefore not afford to slip any further.
“For a side which finished fourth last season, we are on the wrong side of the log. The truth is that we must make sure that we move away from where we are and this requires total commitment from everyone. I am happy with the players’ mentality at training and if they can take the same approach to the game I am sure we are going to win.
“The good thing is that they understand the situation we are in and what I have been saying to them is that we have to get ourselves out of this mess. We have to take each game as it comes and play as if each game is our last league encounter which our survival depends on,” said Dube.
After today’s trip to Harare, the coalminers return to the Colliery Stadium where they will play host to defending champions Dynamos at the weekend. The fixture against DeMbare will definitely be a grudge match as the last time the two teams met Hwange lost 2-4 in an incident filled game where they had Dube and Mebelo Njekwa assaulted by Dynamos’ supporters.
The PSL Disciplinary Committee found DeMbare guilty and ordered a replay at a neutral venue but that verdict was overturned by the Zifa Appeals Committee which said the result should stand and DeMbare only pay a fine.
“Like I said, we are taking each game as it comes and this includes Dynamos or any other team we have to play. Right now we are focusing on Black Mambas and after that we will start planning for Dynamos. That incident happened and a ruling was made now our concentration is on picking points and saving ourselves. We will not waste our energy thinking about what they did to me and Njekwa,” Dube said.
The other games left for Hwange will be away to Buffaloes, home against relegation threatened Hardbody, travel to FC Platinum, play host to Blue Rangers and take on Quelaton in Week 30.
Since the start of the second half, they have only managed to amass six points from a possible 24. Dube said he was happy with the support that is coming from the community.
“The good thing is that the Hwange community realises that we have to pull together and save the team. They have been coming to our training sessions promising to rally behind us and I think we are going to have a good fight,” said Dube.
Experienced players like veteran goalkeeper Timothy Sibanda, Gerald Ndlovu, Zambian international Aaron Katebe, David Boriwondo and Farai Vimisai are expected to lead Hwange during these hard times.
Dube can also bank on strikers Francisco Zvikumbawire, Tongai Mamina, Malvern Longwe and Daniel Kamunhenga.
Fixtures
Today: Black Mambas v Hwange (Morris Depot)
Online Reporter