adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
DSTV Rangers coach Ikabort Masocha believes their match against his former employers Starbill at Old Hararians tomorrow in the World Navi Northern Region Division One soccer league will be a close encounter.
Masocha worked as assistant to Lloyd Chitembwe before crossing the floor to join DStv Rangers in May this year after replacing Elvis Chiweshe.
The new Rangers coach now has a point to prove when he comes up against his old bosses although he remains cautious about the chances of upsetting old friend Chitembwe and his charges.
“The game against Starbill is going to be a close game. We are hoping the players will make a difference because as coaches we know each other.
“So we are hoping the application by the players on the field will make the difference.
“There is an issue of bragging rights but Starbill, as an institution and Lloyd as a coach, I respect them. I hope it will be a good match,” said Masocha.
DStv have been struggling for consistency but Masocha remains optimistic they will get it right.
“Of course, results are not coming but if you look at the general performance we are not far from getting everything right. The team is improving.
“We have some players we are looking at but there is nothing concrete yet. Unfortunately, it is delaying us as coaches but we hope very soon it will work out. It’s now close to three weeks training with them, we are just waiting for the negotiations to be concluded,” said Masocha.
Masocha said three of the targeted players have been training with the club.
“Currently we are looking at probably five players but out of the five only three are training with us. Negotiations are a bit tricky but I will say for us continuing training with them means there is a possibility.
“We are looking at the spine of the team, the centre-back, midfield and forward. So we are looking at two centre strikers, one defender and one midfielder,” said Masocha.
Both DStv Rangers and Starbill are coming from defeats.
Rangers went down to Black Mambas last week while Starbill were dismissed 1-0 by Commando.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Commando v Lake Harvest (Commando), Dstv Rangers v Starbill (Old Hararians), Blue Swallows v Black Mambas (Manyame), Mushowani v DC Academy (Afdis), Flame Lilly v Ngezi Platinum (Chikurubi), ZRP Morris v Bindura (Morris), Karoi United v Twalumba (Chikangwe), Gunners v Seven Flames (Lafarge), Chegutu v Royal Classic (Pfupajena).
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