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Paul Mundandi
Zvishavane Sports Correspondent
SHABANIE Mine coach Jairos Tapera is wary of Hwange whom they clash with at Maglas Stadium this afternoon.
“I respect Hwange very much because they have been together for a much longer time than Shabanie. Their position and our position on the table speaks volumes and they are also a very strong team and any coach can underrate them at his own peril.
“‘A team that can go and draw with defending champions (Dynamos) in Harare means that they have all the ammunition to achieve all they need. Nation (Dube) has been with them for a number of years and he has my respect.
“We are fighting relegation and our battle starts not any other day but tomorrow. I am going to blend youth with experience and my appeal is for the Shabanie Mine fans to rally behind the team even when the chips are down,” said Tapera.
Tapera was named the Shabanie Mine technical manager with the task of steering the team from the relegation zone after John Phiri seemed to have lost his winning formula.
Tapera who hails from Chirere just 15km from the mining town have vowed to save the team.
Hwange are not pushovers and have proved that they can grind a result anywhere.
Zvishavane has been their good hunting ground after collecting maximum points from neighbours FC Platinum this season.
The coalminers will be missing their hitman Alec Marime, Munyaradzi Mungadze and enterprising midfielder Rodwell Chinyengetere who are on suspension after accumulating three yellow cards.
Shabanie will likely once again bank on the experience of the ageless Zvenyika Makonese who has been the driving force for the team.
Douglas Sibanda, Marvellous Dikinya, Wellington Kamudyariwa, Rowan Nenzou, Allan Tavariswa and crowd favourite Ryan Mabhena are some of the players who might give Tapera his first victory at home as well as a glimmer of hope to the asbestos miners’ fans.
Online Reporter