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A TOP-DRAWER game is on the cards at Hartsfield Ground tomorrow when Bulawayo giants Matabeleland Busters plays host to National Rugby League 2012 champions, Harare Sports Club.
Harare Sports Club are yet to lose this season and are on top of the log with 19 points from their four wins while Matabeleland Busters who are hoping to keep their end of season semi-final spot alive, are on position four with 10 points from three outings.
Rueben Kumpasa, Matabeleland Busters coach, yesterday said they are geared up for the encounter and are looking forward to a third win this season.
“Everyone is raring to go. The guys have been training hard and obviously morale in camp is high. We know that Harare Sports Club have good players but we also have equally good guys capable of matching them. We have to concentrate throughout the game, try to open them up and avoid giving away the ball unnecessarily,” Kumpasa said.
He said he pinned his hopes on Mike Zvakavapano, Ozy Lynx, Lloyd Machanjaire, Paul Staak, Jafet Ndebele, young Terrence Kuvarega, Percy Ncube, and the Matabeleland Rugby Football Board boss Tapiwa “Endo” Mangezi.
Harare Sports Club’s key players include Cleopas Makotose, Sables’ Tangai Nemadire, Daniel Hondo and Gerald Sibanda.
While Matabeleland Busters are seeking their third win of the season, Old Miltonians are yet to register a victory and take their act to Zvishavane where they will lock horns with log anchors Zvishavane Bulls who are also yet to register a win.
Old Miltonians have two bonus points from three matches and manager Theo Weale is confident of a victory.
“It’s a tricky game for us which we have to win and start moving up the ladder. Old Miltonians is not familiar with being at the bottom of the log and I believe that once we gel, we will be ok. Zvishavane Bulls are down but they are certainly not out and what we want is to get that confidence booster win,” Weale said.
Bulawayo’s third team in the NRL, Western Panthers, make a long trip to the Eastern Highlands to face Mutare Sports Club.
Western Panthers are travelling without four of their key players Busani Ncube who is nursing a knee injury and the trio of veteran Slatter Ndlovu, Simbarashe Siyapinda and Mayibongwe Ncube who have work commitments.
Western Panthers’ coach George Mukorera is confident that his under strength squad can get maximum points in Mutare.
“Most of the boys travelling are young with little experience. We have won two games and they understand the demands of the games. We are going to try and pin them on the half from the onset. It will not be easy but we are going there to put up a strong fight,” said Mukorera.
He pins his hopes on forwards Zenzele Ncube and up-and-coming Roberto Nhlalo while Tichaona Mupamhadzi, Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu, Kudakwashe Chimukuyu and Thabo Nyathi will form part of their backline.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Matabeleland Busters v Harare Sports Club (Hartsfield), Mutare Sports Club v Western Panthers (Mutare), Zvishavane Bulls v Old Miltonians (Zvishavane), Old Georgians v Old Hararians (Old Georgians)
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