adminBruce Chikuni
BULAWAYO Chiefs assistant coach, Thulani Sibanda, feels his team must play with courage for them to progress to the Chibuku Super Cup final.
The Ninjas are set to meet Black Rhinos in the tournament’s semi-finals, at Mandava, on Sunday.
Chauya Chipembere won the first league match at home, and the Ninjas also made use of their fortress, in the reverse fixture, by getting the better of the army side.
On Sunday they meet at a neutral venue.
Sibanda admitted they have a tough task at hand.
“I’m quite satisfied with how the preparations have been going.
“The boys are in a good space to deliver.
“We are playing one of the tournament’s favourites and, considering how Black Rhinos have been playing lately, we need to be at our best,” said Sibanda.
He said they were going to bank on Kelvin Madzongwe’s versatility.
Madzongwe has been converted from being a box-to-box midfielder to a central defender.
As a result of that transition, the Ninjas have managed 16 clean sheets.
“I think Madzongwe is a utility player, he can play in any position.
“He is gifted with the ability to give instructions to his teammates and he does it well.
“We believe he is more impactful as a defender than as a midfielder.
“He is very good in the air and he is comfortable with starting play at the back.
“It was an easy decision to make for us and we are expecting far more from a person of his calibre.”
Bulawayo Chiefs go into this match with the upper hand, considering they have several former FC Platinum players, who are familiar with Mandava.
They have Madzongwe, Perfect Chikwende, Elvis and Kelvin Moyo.
The club’s head coach, Nilton Terroso, is still providing training programmes from his European base.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter