‘Popopo’ rallies his troops

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
PAUL “Popopo” Chimalizeni has rallied his side, Mushowani, to remain focused in the last half of the World Navi Northern Region Division One soccer league.
Mushowani beat Black Mambas 1-0 as the last round of fixtures kicked off over the weekend to complete back-to-back wins. The Mashonaland Central team appears to have found their way back to their winning form, of late, after winning their past three games.

Chimalizeni said the win against Black Mambas shows they are in the right direction.

“Actually, as a coach I am happy because we managed to win against Black Mambas. They are a good side and winning against Black Mambas means we are going somewhere.

“In the second half of the race we need to keep winning. And the guys played well on Saturday. It was marvellous, superb and they played beautiful football.  I give credit to the guys and they must keep on doing the good job,” said Chimalizeni. They got their only goal from Charles Chiutsa who crossed the floors from Black Rhinos during the window period and Chimalizeni said their decision to rope in the seasoned forward is paying off.

“His experience is paying for the team because he is leading the youngsters so it was a good decision.

“Actually for the second half we have prepared well. We need not to lose a game so that we see where we finish. We have already lost four games and if we lose it won’t augur well with our plans.

“We just added two players, Chiutsa and Tinashe Balakasi from Budiriro Gunners, and retained the bulk of our team. These guys have been together for the past two to three years.

“And, as for the new guys, they are technically good so it’s easier for them to adjust to the team. As Mushowani we play a passing game and they are fitting in well with our play,” said Chimalizeni.

Mushowani, who at some point were leading the race, dropped some points along the way in the first half and slipped into fourth place.

However, their win over the weekend saw them exchanging places with Bindura as they moved into third place while the latter are now fourth after losing 0-1 to Karoi United. Mushowani and Flame Lilly were the only two teams among the top five that collected maximum points over the weekend. Log leaders, Gunners and Ngezi Platinum, who are sitting on fifth position, drew their matches.