adminThe match promises to be a thriller as Matabeleland Warriors will want maximum points so that they keep their semi-finals hopes alive while Old Miltonians are targeting at moving away from the relegation zone.
What also makes tomorrow’s derby exciting is that Old Miltonians, who lost a number of their key players to Matabeleland
Warriors at the beginning of the season, will want to show that those that remained are capable of holding their own.
Matabeleland Warriors are second on the log with 20 points from five outing and are three behind log leaders Harare Sports Club while Old Miltonians are third from the bottom with nine points from the same number of games.
Former Sables player Reuben Kumpasa who is now the Matabeleland Warriors coach said they were ready for their opponents and predicted a tough encounter.
“The guys have been working hard for the Saturday match and are raring to go especially after beating Old Georgians last weekend. However, it will be a different game against Old Miltonians and we are expecting a tight game since it’s a derby.
We also took some of their players at the beginning of the season and I think they are still bitter and will want to beat us at all costs.
“As for us, we just want to win this game because we want to finish the season at least on second position so that we play our semi-finals at home. At this point we cannot afford to drop any points,” Kumpasa said.
Lucky Sithole, Moses Makhiwa, Ozy Lynx and Dumi Bhebhe crossed the floor to Matabeleland Warriors from Old Miltonians at the beginning of the season.
Cheetahs and Sables’ fringe winger Lloyd Machanjaire, Velile Dube and Jafet Ndebele are some of Old Miltonians’ products at Matabeleland Warriors.
Bhebhe and Dube have been ruled out of the clash with their former paymasters due to injuries. Paul Staak also joins the two on the terraces.
Former Miltonian Terence Kuvarega, Percy Ncube and Tapiwa Mangezi are expected to lead Matabeleland Warriors in their hunt for maximum points tomorrow.
Old Miltonians’ gaffer Vusumuzi “Vee” Ndebele said they were ready for their opponents.
“Of course Matabeleland Warriors go into the game motivated following their last results but we have a number of young players who are excited about playing the game and want to reach dizzy heights. We are a big club and we want to build a strong foundation from the setback we had when we lost our players to Matabeleland Warriors.
“Now our focus is to introduce the youngsters into the team and we hope that they will do well. Old Miltonians has in the past produced its own stars and that will not stop now. I am confident that come Saturday my boys will give Matabeleland Warriors a good run for their money,” said Ndebele.
Veterans George Savada and Justin McKay are expected to lead a youthful Old Miltonians side that has Tawanda Mhora, Sandile Lupuana and Ezekiel Moyo when they take on their city rivals.
In the other match set for Hartsfield, Western Panthers play log leaders Harare Sports Club.
Harare Sports Club come into the match without Daniel Hondo, Gerald Sibanda and Tangai Nemadire who are with the national Sevens team on duty in England.
Western Panthers have former Cheetahs star Silethokuhle “Slatter” Ndlovu, Masimba Musiyapinda, upcoming star Irvine
“Bhuda” Nduwa, Knowledge Moyo and Tichaona Mupamadzi to bank on tomorrow.
“It will be a tough game but I know my boys can hold their own. We have been on a rebuilding process and what gives us an edge is that my players have been playing together for sometime.
“This season we want to stay away from relegation zone as much as possible and this means we have to pick up points,” said Western Panthers’ gaffer George “Coach Rollo” Mukorera.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Matabeleland Warriors v Old Miltonians (Hartsfield, 4pm), Western Panthers v Harare Sports Club (Hartsfield, 2:30pm), Gweru Sports Club v Old Georgians (Gweru), Old Hararians v Airforce (Old Hararians Sports Club)
Online Reporter