Mhofu eyes maiden win

Grace Chingoma Sports Reporter
VETERAN coach Sunday “Mhofu’’ Chidzambwa — still searching for his maiden win on his return to the domestic Premiership trenches — is confident tomorrow might just be the day his ZPC Kariba outfit will halt their winless streak.

ZPC Kariba will face Tsholotsho in a reverse fixture at Luveve tomorrow with Chidzambwa’s men seeking revenge after losing 1-0 to the newboys in their backyard at Nyamhunga courtesy of a goal by Joel Lupahla.

They also lost by a similar margin to Triangle the previous weekend.

But Chidzambwa who is returning to coaching domestic Premiership after a lengthy spell away including a ban by ZIFA on allegations of match-fixing believes it will be game on.

ZPC Kariba last won a match in May when they beat Whawha 2-1.

“The results have not been good enough for us although we created chances in both games but failed to bury chances and lost six points which is not good at all.

“We are trying hard to rectify our mistakes and hope things will turn around for us in the next match. They (Tsholotsho) are a good side. They managed to score a goal and defended very well.

“But I think we can manage to play and get a result as for understanding the team it will take a bit of time,” Chidzambwa said.

ZPC Kariba are likely to miss key defender Dennis Dauda who is in South Africa for trials with Division One side Polokwane City.

Log leaders Chicken Inn welcome resurgent CAPS United at Luveve on Saturday hoping to turn the tables after a painful defeat in which they felt they were robbed of at least a point by the referee.

Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas said the good thing is they are still on top and have another chance to consolidate the position should they win against the Harare giants.

“It is game on. We are still licking our wounds but we are preparing and hope this time we will come right.

“The game in Harare is done and dusted and we just ask for fair play in our coming matches. We have another chance to try and fight for three points whilst we are still on top and will be looking for a positive result and would try and turn the tables against CAPS United,” he said.

Antipas will also be banking on his top striker Edmore Chirambadare whom he missed in the last match and is expected to return on Friday from a trial stint with South Africa Premiership side Bidvest Wits.

“In Harare we missed the cutting edge up front and we heard Edmore is coming back and would want him to play.

“It is a good thing he is on trials. The exposure is good for a player’s development and it is also a chance for one to get a contract outside which is good for our players and the football at large,” Antipas said. It will be a busy weekend of football in Bulawayo as Luke Masomere’s How Mine who picked a point on the road in Mutare believe they can finish off Buffaloes when they welcome them in their backyard.

Masomere said his charges have struck the right chord and pray that they maintain that form where they haven’t lost a match in 360 minutes of football action.

“Buffaloes are a good side. Now it is the time where everyone is scrounging for points with teams fighting for championships doing their best so that they remain on top while teams in the relegation zone would also be looking for points to survive.

“We also want to continue with our momentum. We have hit the form at the right time and we haven’t lost a match in our last four games.

“When the season began we had too many injuries and our rhythm was affected but I am really happy that my players are now focused and performing,” he said.

How Mine midfielder Tawanda Muparati, Louis Matawu and Fungai Chirinda, who all haven’t kicked a ball since the season started due to injuries, are now back in training with their coach expecting them to be ready in two weeks’ time.

However, the duo of Charles Sibanda and James Chitereki who are injured would be out for sometime but Masomere said he has many options upfront where young players such as Mgcini Sibanda and Nesitara Ndale can carry the day.

Fixtures:

Tomorrow: Tsholotsho v ZPC Kariba (White City).

Saturday: Chicken Inn v CAPS United (Luveve, SS); Harare City v Flame Lily (Rufaro); FC Platinum v Chapungu (Mandava).

Sunday: Whawha v Dongo Sawmill (Ascot); Dynamos v Hwange (Rufaro); Triangle v Highlanders (Gibo); How Mine v Buffaloes (Luveve, SS).