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The last time the two sides met in April, Matabeleland Warriors lost 42-25. That also happened to be Warriors’ first defeat of the season.
The Bulawayo club has amassed 34 points from eight outings and trail the log leaders who have played a game more by nine points.
A victory for the Bulawayo outfit will see them closing in on Harare Sports Club but they will have to toil for a positive result.
Matabeleland Warriors coach Rueben Kumpasa anticipated a tough encounter but said they were ready for battle. “The guys are ready for Harare Sports Club and we hope to collect maximum points.
It will not be easy for us as they have equally good players just like us who are capable of making the game tough. We just have to concentrate throughout the game, try to open them up and avoid giving away the ball unnecessarily,” said Kumpasa.
Sables’ Tangai Nemadire, Daniel Hondo and Gerald Sibanda have been key in Harare Sports Club’s campaign and Matabeleland Warriors will have to keep a close watch on the three.
Harare Sports Club also has Ruramai Kudenga, Ranga Zimbowa and Patrick Teresi who have been scoring important points for their team.
Matabeleland Warriors will bank on their skipper Lloyd Machanjaire, Paul Staak, Jafet Ndebele, young Terrence Kuvarega, Percy Ncube, Ozy Lynx, the Matabeleland Rugby Football Board boss Tapiwa Mangezi and Dumisani Bhebhe to lead them against Harare Sports Club.
Veterans Lucky Sithole and Moses Makhiwa are also expected to be in the Matabeleland Warriors team.
Pride is at stake for Western Panthers who welcome star-studded Old Hararians.
Old Hararians’ squad is built around Cheetahs’ regular players Danny Robertson, Costa Dinha and Prayer Chitendero.
Western Panthers have former Cheetahs star Silethokuhle “Slatter” Ndlovu, Masimba Siyamupinda, ever improving Irvine “Bhuda” Nduwa, Knowledge Moyo, Marlvin Gomo and Tichaona Mupamadzi to bank on.
The last time the two teams clashed, Western Panthers were clobbered 83-3.
Old Miltonians travel to the Midlands capital for a date with Gweru Sports Club.
Former national team star George Savada will lead the youthful side that has Tawanda Mhora, Sandile Lupuana and Ezekiel Moyo.
On the other hand, Gweru’s top scorer Kilvan Magunje, Larry Chikukura and Zwelakhe Mloyi are some of the players to watch from the Midlands Province side.
Fixtures
Today: Matabeleland Warriors v Harare Sports Club (Hartsfield), Gweru Sports Club v Old Miltonians (Gweru Sports Club), Western Panthers v Old Hararians (Harare Sports Club), Old Georgians v Airforce (Old Georgians)
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