Lisutu rallies Hwange supporters

HWANGE FC Supporters Association chairman Lisutu Ndlovu has called upon the coalminers’ legion of fans to throng Colliery Stadium in their numbers when the club entertains Highlanders FC in a potentially explosive fixture on Sunday.

Ndlovu said there was a need to come in numbers to back the Nation Dube-mentored Chipangano side who are fighting to rise from the drop zone.

“It’s a big match. Highlanders enjoy a lot of following and as such we are expecting a full house at the Colliery Stadium.

“This is the time for every Chipangano fan to rise and support the team.

“We should go to the stadium in our numbers. Hwange Football Club is our pride and we are the only team from Matabeleland North that plays in the Premier Soccer League.

“As such everyone should come and support the boys. The team heavily needs our backing. We cannot afford to see the club getting relegated again,” said Ndlovu.

He added that they hope to see the team finish the season in the top 10.

The Chipangano family has over the weeks been a dejected lot owing to a string of poor results.

That saw the club suspending technical manager Bongani Mafu and assistant coach Try Ncube to leave Dube, a club legend, in charge.

Last weekend, Dube’s charges, who have been in search of elusive wins, edged army side Cranborne Bullets 1-0 and on Sunday they will seek to prove their mettle against title chasing Highlanders who are coming from a 2-0 home win over Yadah Stars.

Before their triumph over Cranborne Bullets, Hwange had not won since July 9 when they beat ZPC Kariba 2-1.

In the mid season transfer-window, Chipangano brought in Godwin Goriyati, Hamilton Gomba, Quinton Longwe and Prichard Mpelele.

Hwange are on position 10. They have posted seven wins, the same number of draws and nine defeats and are on 28 points, 16 points below Bosso who on 44 points are second.

In the first leg match that was played at Barbourfields Stadium on April 30, Bosso edged the Premier Soccer League returnees 1-0.

In other Week 24 fixtures, Chicken Inn will on Saturday play host to Triangle United at Luveve Stadium while former champions FC Platinum welcome Herentals College at Mandava Stadium.

ZPC Kariba have a tough encounter against high-riding Ngezi Platinum Stars at Nyamhunga Stadium. Sheasham will seek to utilize home advantage when they meet Cranborne Bullets at Gweru’s Bata Stadium in Gweru on Saturday.

Buoyant Bulawayo Chiefs will make the long trip to Mhondoro for their game against Yadah Stars that will be played at Baobab Stadium.

Green Fuel will fight it out against Simba Bhora at Green Fuel Stadium.

The Harare derby between Dynamos and Caps United will be staged at National Sports Stadium.