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Kwela Kwela walk into the intimidating atmosphere of Rufaro Stadium on Sunday to face an embarrassed Dynamos.
The Bulawayo-based team believe it will be a biblical David and Goliath affair when they tackle the Harare giants.
The Philani ‘Beefy’ Ncube-coached side have not tasted victory since that 1-0 win over Gunners at Luveve Stadium on 5 May and anchor the log with just five points, a massive 35 points behind leaders and firm championship favourites Highlanders.
On Sunday they face Dynamos who were stunned by a 1-1 draw against another struggling outfit Blue Rangers last Sunday.
Club director Tawanda Ruzive, while conceding that his team faced relegation, said their opponents should be prepared for a bruising battle as the team would ensure it prepared adequately for each match.
“We just have to be practical here, our chances are getting thinner and thinner with each passing weekend especially when you lose against teams which are equally struggling.
“It’s getting tight to be honest but we are not throwing in the towel and who knows we might surprise Dynamos in front of their fans on Sunday,” said Ruzive.
He said the boys were also losing confidence in themselves but a win over Dynamos would have far reaching consequences in as far as their survival was concerned.
Last Sunday, they lost at home to struggling Black Mambas.
During the second transfer window, the team went on a recruitment drive and signed in eight new players believed to be soccer veterans and in the process also lost four players.
The veterans included Chipo Tsodzo, Thulani “Mbalis” Moyo and Ndumiso Khanye.
Khanye took over from Innocent Kutsanzira as captain.
The reigning Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions will be without midfielder Mitlon Makopa and defender Ocean Mushure who are out due to suspensions.
Quelaton could probably be feeling the pinch of the unwise move to create a “boys club” at the beginning of the season when the club leadership failed to realise that premiership is big business.
It is not only smaller teams like Quelaton that are struggling but big teams like Caps United are also finding the going tough.
Makepekepe, who recently fired their technical team led by Irishman, Sean Connor, have not won or collected a point inside 540 minutes while Quelaton have a single point over the same period.
The Green machine, now under Taurai Mangwiro and former Bosso gaffer, Mkhuphali Masuku, clash with police side, Black Mambas this weekend and a loss for the 11th placed team will be just but catastrophic.
Just like Quelaton, the executive made a terrible mistake at the beginning of the season with their technical team’s appointments and now chickens are coming home to roost.
Chicken Inn are on the road again to face Monomotapa, a team they beat 2-1 in a tension-filled reverse fixture hoping to put their house back on track. The Adam Ndlovu-coached side had gone on an eight-match unbeaten streak until Motor Action brought them crashing down with a 1-0 win.
High-flying Tshilamoya are at home to Gunners who are known for brewing shocks especially on the road.
Hwange were hammered 3-0 at the Colliery but what is comforting for Highlanders faithfuls is that Chando Kupisa have beaten the black and white boys once since 2009 when they won 1-0.
Since then Highlanders have completed back to back wins over the Harare side and the 17-match unbeaten record holders would not allow the struggling Gunners to stop their juggernaut.
Most in the Highlanders family are already looking at emulating Italian champions, Juventus who lifted the title last season without a defeat following a 23-match winning streak and 15 draws. By coincidence, the Italian giants also wear black and white jerseys.
Coalminers Hwange are at home to unpredictable Harare City who have shown total disrespect for the so-called league veterans.
Chipangano are however on the road to recovery after a yo-yo performance in the first half, managing to pick seven points out of a possible nine in their last three matches.
The Midlands soccer community will have two potentially explosive matches on Sunday when surprise package and second-placed Shabanie Mine play host to Motor Action at Maglas Stadium while Hardbody will be home to fellow Midlanders FC Platinum. The match is set for Ascot Stadium.
Fixtures
Saturday: Monomotapa v Chicken Inn (Rufaro), Black Mambas v CAPS United (Morris Depot).
Sunday: Dynamos v Quelaton (Rufaro), Shabanie Mine v Motor Action (Maglas), Highlanders v Gunners (Barbourfields Stadium), Hwange v Harare City (Colliery), Hardbody v FC Platinum (Ascot), Buffaloes v Blue Rangers (Sakubva).
Online Reporter