Mapuwa wants mates to fire on all cylinders

Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter

GREENFUEL midfielder Washington Mapuwa has challenged his teammates to rise to the occasion as they look for a second win in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League against Cranborne Bullets at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.

Mapuwa was the hero of the newcomers’ first win of the season which they earned at the same venue two weeks ago.

The 18-year-old Legends Academy product rifled home a ferocious freekick that gave the Lowveld team a 1-0 victory over fellow new boys Simba Bhora.

That was the first time the Chisumbanje team were under the tutelage of veteran gaffer Rodwell Dhlakama.

And they are yet to lose or concede since then. They have picked four points in their last two outings after also picking a point against ZPC Kariba after playing out a goalless draw at Gibbo last weekend.

Mapuwa believes GreenFuel have what it takes to put together another win which will help them move further away from the red zone.

“GreenFuel is a very good team. We are a new team in the league and we have obviously been lacking confidence but there is no doubt about our capabilities,” said Mapuwa.

“We are a team that has both experience and determination.

“We have been telling each other at training and even off the field of play to believe in ourselves.

“We have improved significantly in this regard.

“What we now need is to work hard to try and outwit our opponents. The last time we played at the National Sports Stadium, we managed to take the full points home and that’s a huge positive on our part given we are returning to the same turf against a relatively equal team as Simba Bhora whom we beat the last time out.

“But football is a tricky game. We need to challenge ourselves as players, implement the coach’s game plan and see what happens.

“We are very confident we will go back to Chisumbanje with the maximum points in the bag. We should fight well to move away from the red zone as early as now”.

Cranborne Bullets will be confident going into this clash as well.

They picked their first win of the season ironically against Simba Bhora as well.

They beat the Shamva team 1-0 as well.

And this afternoon’s clash could be a thriller given both teams are relatively in the same mire which they want to manoeuvre from.

Mapuwa, who is one of the most impressive teenagers in the league, knows Cranborne Bullets will be a tough prospect.

“We know exactly how tricky this match will be. Cranborne Bullets have a very good team and they will be at home.

“We expect the match to be tough, very tough but we are ready for the challenge. We are travelling all the way from Chisumbanje for the points. I am happy every player knows their responsibilities. Everyone knows the team’s vision and aspirations.

“We are taking each game as it comes and this match against Cranborne Bullets will obviously show how much we, as GreenFuel, are prepared to compete in this league. We have picked the points at the same venue before and we are confident to win this one as well.”