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Grace Chingoma-Senior Sports Reporter
THE National Sports Stadium is the place to be this afternoon as it hosts a double header of Castle Lager Premier Soccer League football matches pitting Cranborne Bullets and Yadah as well as new boys Simba Bhora and Hwange.
Army side Bullets are set to clash with Yadah at 12 noon, before the homeless Shamva outfit Simba Bhora welcomes Hwange later in the day.
The teams have had contrasting fortunes and Nesbert Saruchera’s Bullets will be seeking their first set of maximum points this season.
Last weekend, they managed to hold Dynamos to a goalless draw, but Saruchera knows it’s high time his team starts winning.
Bullets also played a goalless draw against Chicken Inn after losing the opening two matches of the season to Black Rhinos and FC Platinum with similar margins of 1 -0.
Yadah would be seeking a second victory this season after a disappointing defeat against Simba Bhora last week.
Yadah coach Expense Chitukutuku is assembling a team that is playing a refreshing, attacking brand of football.
He believes his charges with time will come around.
“We are still preparing for this match and every match has its own result. We will see how the players will respond in this game,” said Chitukutuku.
Yadah have managed a single victory in their opening match against Green Fuel. But they went on to lose to Hwange (1 – 2) and Simba Bhora (0 – 1) and drew 1-1 against Sheasham.
Yadah coach Chitukutuku is in his maiden Premiership coaching role, having worked extensively with junior teams throughout his career. He believes his youthful side is learning the ropes.
Simba Bhora host a fired up Hwange that has returned to the Premiership with a bang.
Chipangano have recovered from the 0-1 defeat to giants Dynamos in their first game and are currently enjoying their form. They have since posted two wins against Yadah (1 – 2), and Green Fuel (3 – 0) and a 1 – 1 draw against Sheasham.
They meet Simba Bhora who got their first victory last week against Yadah.
Simba Bhora coach Tonderai Ndiraya and his charges are desperately in need of points.
“The focus is to collect as many points as possible. We are playing at home and we should use our home advantage to get the points we desperately need,” said Ndiraya.
The former Dynamos gaffer says they want to remain focused as they navigate the Premiership waters.
“We expect them to express themselves freely. The pressure isn’t entirely off and there is a need to keep the focus. The team is new in the league and has had great experience of top-flight football so far. We will keep learning and as we learn, we hope to notch some good results on the board,” said Ndiraya.
Today: Cranborne Bullets v Yadah (National Sports Stadium 12pm), Simba Bhora v Hwange (National Sports Stadium).
Tomorrow: Sheasham v Green Fuel (Mandava), Herentals College v ZPC Kariba (National Sports Stadium), Manica Diamonds v Ngezi Platinum (Gibbo), Highlanders v Dynamos (postponed).
Sunday: CAPS United v FC Platinum (National Sports Stadium), Triangle United v Black Rhinos (Gibbo), Bulawayo Chiefs v Chicken Inn (Luveve).
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