adminSports Correspondent
SHABANIE Mine captain Smart Muchabayiwa has taunted FC Platinum calling them a small club ahead of their league clash this afternoon in Zvishavane.
The 28-year-old will play his 100th league game for Shabanie. He joined them in 2010 from Underhill.
“Platinum have all the resources but we have the fans and we are united. Zvishavane town belongs to us and FC Platinum belongs to Mhondongori where they carry out their mining activities. The match will be tough as they can’t afford to lose against us,” said Muchabayiwa.
He said the derby is a very important match which demands 120 percent from the players.
“Players who left the club before the derby let us down because they were in our plans. Daniel (Chakupe) and Nelson (Merson) were in good form and we needed them badly for the match tomorrow,” he said yesterday.
“They should have waited and proved that they are good players by playing in the Zvishavane derby. Chinda Boys players should have character. A number of youngsters will play tomorrow and I am happy for them.
“Zvenyika (Makonese) has done well to guide me and we now have a good understanding in defence. I am happy that Douglas (Sibanda) is playing a game of his life and he can easily carry the day for us. Ryan (Mabhena), Marvellous (Dikinya) and Lloyd (Ngara) are other youngsters who can throw spanners into the platinum engine,” he said.
Muchabayiwa was happy to note that Donald Ngoma, whom he accussed of diving, will not be part of the FC Platinum line up today.
“I am happy that Donald will not be part of the clash because in 2011 he dived like a swimmer and they were awarded a dubious penalty that still pains me and that still pains our fans,” said the centreback.
Greg Mataka, the Shabanie Mine president, went out of his way to personally sponsor a two-day camp for the team. He even held a private meeting with Makonese whom he urged to psyche up the team ahead of the big clash in the town.
Shabanie Mine supporters’ treasurer Tawanda Nzembe said that the Chinda Boys fans will have a road show at 11AM in the mining town today starting from Maglas via town and proceeding to Mandava Stadium.
While Muchabayiwa was bullish for Shabanie, FC Platinum vice captain Thabani Kamusoko is equally confident that his side will collect maximum points in the ninth edition of the Zvishavane derby.
“The match will be tough as Shabanie are tricky customers but we have been working hard. We are at home, everyone wants to play and we are going to fight because we need nothing short of victory,” he said.
“We are going to pick ourselves up on Saturday (today) because we want to fight for honours. We want to win three consecutive games and catch up with the leading pack because the race is still open,” said Kamusoko.
Online Reporter