Stars FC, masters of ‘the art of war’

Mandla Moyo, Sports Reporter

IF there is one thing that Stars FC have mastered, it is the “art of war”. As a result, many teams standing in their line of fire have been thumped into submission.

Last year they were crowned the best Bulawayo Social Soccer League champions after brushing aside a fighting pool B winners Entumbane Bombers in the Champions of Champion final Cup match.

This morning they will be out to demonstrate to all and sundry that art which has seen then dominate the league in its modern era when they clash with 94 Strivers at their preferred shooting range which is in Iminyela.

Another win here in addition to their numerous wins recorded so far will take them one more step towards the crowning moment once again. Since their lowly placed opponents are known for blowing hot and cold, Stars might not need to open all their armouries in search of their most lethal weapon.

The array of players who have played football at the highest level always present the team with that quality of judgment as well as the cutting edge they need to crack the opposition defence. Even on a bad day, Stars rely on that ability to get what they want from rivals ranging by and large from a win or draw to prove their quality.

However, on the other hand 94 Strivers who are the underdogs coming into this battle will certainly be out to prove a point as well as shame those who underrate them. As a result of their tricky character on a good day they have left a few big guns bruised and battered.

According to Strivers assistant coach Sibonginkosi Sibanda, even though this is a social game, points will not be donated on a silver platter.
“As 94 Strivers our motto is “Never Surrender”, yes, we are going there to socialise in the name of soccer, winning is a bonus to us. However, let me make this clear, as a team we will not give the game on a silver platter, if all our men are available for the game we can make history against Stars,” said Sibanda.

In pool B, log leaders Skippers will be hoping to return to winning ways after they dropped two valuable points when they drew 1-1 with Njube FC. This was also the case with second-placed Mayihlome who were held to a 1 all draw by West Comm.

Fixtures
Pool A: FC Pirates v Fireworks(Rugby New Lob), Patapata v Zulu Chiefs(Iminyela two), Glenkara v Makwee (Somhlolo, Nkulumane), Stars FC v 94 Strivers(Iminyela one), Magwegwe Bullets v CreamTata(Magwegwe high), Cowdray Masters v Khami Hydon(TM Cowdray), 70 Combination v Iminyela Timers(Mambo, Tshabalala), Mthala v Old Timers(Bango),Vule Vale v Edgars(Magwegwe West Crèche),Man United v Santos Thand’abantu (Emakhandeni),Tigers v Fund’ukulinda(Mazai ),Congo Chiefs v Brotherhood(Inyathi Mpopoma), Ndola Stars v Mganwini Legends(Iminyela).
Pool B: Wembley v Matshobana(Lobengula High), Robert Sinyoka v Zobha (Emarorini, Pumula South), Pumula Crackers v Zinwa(Silwane, Old Pumula), Pelandaba v Pioneer(Induba Primary),Njube Crackers v Shwelele(Desert Njube), Finance v Gwabalanda Legends(TM Cowdray Park), Lobels v Real Shwelele(Matshobana), Emganwini Celtics v Entumbane Bombers(Food 4 Less Emganwini ), Mabutweni v Real Magwegwe(Insukamini Primary), FC Zonke v West Com(, Esiporweni, Entumbane), Mayihlome S v Happy Valley(Inyathi Mpopoma), NJC v Skippers(Mazai Makokoba), Siyabangena v Nkulumane(Phekiwe Nkulumane 12).