adminTakudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
BLUE Swallows want to turn the corner and inflict a demoralising defeat on high-riding Flame Lilly in a World Navi Northern Region Division One tie at Manyame this afternoon.
Swallows have won once and drawn three times while losing one game.
Impressive Flame Lilly have won four of their first five league games in a flying start to their campaign.
Swallows returned to the World Navi Northern Region Division One this season and want to make a big impression.
Tapera Maruta, the Swallows coach, believes they have prepared well for this match likely to draw a full house at Manyame.
“Our opponents have been around for a long time and so we will take them seriously as they are very experienced,” said Maruta.
“We are well prepared for the game and we will have a slight edge, playing in front of our home fans, and on a field we know very well.
“We have no injury worries, everyone is available for selection and I am looking forward to a positive result.”
Maruta said they have been working with their strikers who have so far failed to make a big impression in front of goal.
“We have been coming short on goals and this week we worked on shooting as most of the games we drew, we could not score,’ said Maruta.
“I believe if we can score we will win a lot of matches.
“The start so far is good for us as we were not around for some time but we have managed to assemble a competitive side.”
Flame Lilly are under the guidance of veteran coach, Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera, who is considered a specialist in taking Division One clubs into the Premiership.
Leaders Mushowani Stars take on struggling Chegutu Pirates at Pfupajena. The Pirates, who were impressive in the back end of last season, have struggled this season and are yet to win a game.
They lost a number of key players, during the off-season, and Mushowani will arrive in Chegutu confident that they can pocket maximum points and keep their pole position on the table.
Surprise packets Bindura United, powered by veterans Alisara Kondowe and Daniel ‘Magrease” Kamunhenga, have a tricky date against ambitious Ngezi Platinum, the league’s best funded side, who are under the guidance of former Blackpool defender, Kifton Kadurira.
Twalumba have traditionally been slow starters and team owner, Nkululeko Sibanda, expects his side, who are fielded the youngest squad in Division One, to get better as the competition gathers momentum.
They face a plucky DC Academy side at Tomlinson.
Starbill, who have a host of former Premiership players who include Tapiwa Mangezi and skipper Edmore Chafungamoyo, have a home date against Royal Classics hoping to keep the momentum that saw them defeat Karoi United in midweek.
The Northern Region Division One is turning into a competitive league this season and a number of teams now have more fans, in their home matches, than those who are watching Premiership games this year.
World Navi Northern Region Fixtures
Tomorrow
Commando v Karoi (Commando); Dstv Rangers v ZRP Morris (Old Hararians); Blue Swallows v Flame Lilly (Manyame); Ngezi Platinum v Bindura (Boabab);DC Academy v Twalumba (Thomlison); Black Mambas v Seven Flames (Morris Depot); Starbill v Royal Classics (Gwanzura); Lake Harvest v Gunners (Chaminuka); Chegutu Pirates v Mushowani (Pfupajena)
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