Ntabazinduma test Bulawayo City pedigree

Ricky Zililo and Lovemore Zigara Sports Reporters
NTABAZINDUNA face Southern Region Soccer League pacesetters Bulawayo City this afternoon without five key players who are part of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services squad for the Sadc Games set for Botswana next month.

The prison warders are without Hillary Mavela, Nomandla Moyo, Dickson Phiri, Success Sibanda and Walter Lunga, who are in camp in Harare.

Besides the quartet, Ntabazinduna are yet to replace strikers James Chivasa and Bravvie Sibanda, whom they loaned out to Premiership side Flame Lily.

Despite missing the services of key players, Ntabazinduna coach Agent Sawu remains hopeful his charges will collect maximum points against City.

“We registered 30 players at the beginning of the season and I believe that the guys available are capable of giving their best. Our preparations have been going well and everyone is geared up for the City game. We need to win this game so that we close in on the top teams,” said Sawu.

Without Mavela, Joshua Wilson is expected to lead Ntabazinduna’s strikeforce.

Ntabazinduna lost the reverse encounter 0-3 with City getting their goals from ex-Zimbabwe Saints and Chicken Inn winger Humphrey “Muchichwa” Ncube, captain Zibusiso “Mzimara” Sibanda and Makhosi Ncube.

The prison warders go into the game smarting from a 0-1 loss to Bulawayo Chiefs and will be hoping to capitalise on home advantage against City.

The local authority bankrolled side will pin their hopes on Ncube, Trevor Ndlovu, goalkeeper Ndodana Sibanda, central defender Sibanda, midfielders Innocent “Joker” Kutsanzira, Eddy Nkulungo, Ncube and new signing Simba Sithole.

They also have speedy forwards in Mkhululi Moyo and Qinani “Chroma” Sibanda, who are capable of keeping defenders on their toes throughout the afternoon.

Second placed Chiefs take on Old Nic Mine at Fairbridge while Casmyn are away to Indlovu Iyanyathela at Headquarters One Brigade.

In the Central Region League, Border Strikers face a stern test in their quest to land the sole promotional ticket when they square off against a youthful Chrome Stars outfit in Kwekwe tomorrow.

Chrome Stars have a penchant for causing upsets and were the first team to defeat former league pacesetters ZPC Munyati.

Log leaders Tongogara have also found themselves at the receiving end of the chrome miners.

Border Strikers have so far amassed 30 points from 14 matches and are a point behind the log leaders.

Never Malunga, the Border Strikers coach, knows that any slip-up would give Tongogara the advantage, and said he would go all out for maximum points in tomorrow’s encounter.

“We’re taking each game as it comes and the reason we play games is to win. We’re not worried about the records; the game is just like any other match and we will be playing to win,” said Malunga.

His Chrome Stars counterpart Yolam Ngwira said his side won’t be under pressure as his young players are playing to display their talent.

“We are not in the running for promotion and we don’t have such ambitions. The boys will be playing to enjoy themselves, but we expect to come out with a good result,” Ngwira said.

In other matches, Tongogara date ZETDC Gweru at Mkoba Stadium where they are expected to make easy work of the power utility outfit, while Shabanie Mine welcome Silo United at Maglas Stadium.

The Chinda Boys have turned Maglas into a mini-fortress by winning all their home matches.

Central League fixtures

Today: ZRP Beitbridge v Blanket Mine (Dulibadzimu), ZETDC Southern Region v Tongogara (Mkoba), MSU v Ivan Hoe (MSU), FC Platinum U19 v Vumbachikwe (Mandava)

Tomorrow: Chrome Stars v Border Strikers (Chrome), Shabanie Mine v Silo United (Maglas), ZPC Munyati v Sable Chemicals (Munyati), Gweru United v Mvuma Stars (Ascot)

Southern League fixtures

Today: Indlovu Inyanyathela v Casmyn (HQ 1 B rigade), Bantu Rovers v Mpumalanga (Luveve, 12PM), Makomo v Black Boots (Hwange, 12PM), ZPC Hwange v Trumus (Hwange), Ntabazinduna v Bulawayo City (Ntabazinduna), Technosphere v Amagagasi (Hwange), Bulawayo Chiefs v Old Nic Mine (Fairbridge), Hwange Juniors v NUST (Hwange)

P W D L F A GD Pts

Bulawayo City 16 11 3 2 23 4 19 36

Bulawayo Chiefs 16 10 4 2 20 7 13 34

Casmyn 16 8 5 3 17 14 3 29

Bantu Rovers 16 8 3 5 20 13 7 27

ZPC Hwange 16 7 6 3 13 7 6 27

Makomo 16 7 5 4 13 10 3 26

Technosphere 16 7 4 5 19 11 8 25

Ntabazinduna 16 7 3 6 19 15 4 24

Black Boots 16 5 7 4 17 14 3 22

Indlovu Iyanyathela 16 5 4 7 10 13 -3 19

Amagagasi 16 5 7 4 13 15 -2 22