adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER surviving relegation on the last day in their maiden Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season last year, Tsholotsho FC have their sights on a top eight finish in 2016.
Tsholotsho are presently 11th with three points after three rounds of matches, having beaten Bulawayo City 1-0 and losing by similar 1-2 scorelines against table-toppers FC Platinum in Week One and Highlanders last Sunday.
Their next game is away against Chapungu at Ascot Stadium in Gweru on Saturday and right-back MacClive Phiri is confident of getting three points from the airmen.
The 22-year-old defender, who has established himself at Tsholotsho, said the ambition to play for bigger clubs is what is driving their team to do better.
“When we survived relegation on the last day, we told ourselves that we don’t want to be in the same situation again this year. We’ve been working hard to make sure that we get positive results early in the season and stay far away from the turbulent relegation waters,” said Phiri.
“Our aim is a top eight finish, which is achievable because everyone is motivated to do better. Right now we want to win the next game and recover from the Highlanders loss – a game that we feel we could’ve at least walked away with a point from.”
The ambitious Tsholotsho defender, who draws inspiration from his uncle Sizalobuhle Dube, an ex-Railstars, Hwange and Bantu Rovers’ striker, said losing the derby against Highlanders hit them hard.
He could have equalised for his side against Bosso in the dying stages of the game, but a brilliant save by Highlanders’ goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda denied him what would have been a spectacular goal.
“I think we did everything against Bosso and we went there knowing that we can match them, but luck wasn’t on our side. It was painful to lose that game, but we’ve accepted the result and moved on with the focus being the Chapungu match. I believe we can get a positive result in Gweru,” said Phiri.
Tsholotsho lost their 2015 league matches against Chapungu 0-1 at home and 1-2 in Gweru.
Phiri is aware that the airmen, who lost 0-1 against FC Platinum on Saturday, are a wounded buffalo and Tsholotsho have to be cautious.
“It won’t be an easy game, but if we take the same attitude we had against Highlanders and concentrate throughout the game, we can get a good result. Chapungu are a good side and they want this win as much as we do. We just have to avoid defending too deep and ensure that we convert the chances we create,” he said.
Tsholotsho will bank on seasoned forward Dylan Chivandire to lead their strikeforce, with veteran Joel Luphahla supporting him from midfield.
Luphahla was a thorn in the flesh for Highlanders as he engineered most moves for Tsholotsho on Sunday.
Phiri, captain William Stima, Thandolwenkosi Ncube and Nkosilathi Moyo will form Tsholotsho’s defence, while Butholezwe Ncube, Kriess Chitiyo, Bruno Madanhire and Mustafa Ponyera will complete their midfield.
Fixtures
Saturday: Harare City v Hwange (Rufaro, SuperSport, 3PM), Chapungu v Tsholotsho FC (Ascot), How Mine v Triangle United (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v Chicken Inn (Nyamhunga)
Sunday: Border Strikers v Mutare City (TBA), Bulawayo City v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Caps United (Rufaro, SuperSport, 3PM)
Monday: Ngezi Platinum v FC Platinum (Baobab, SuperSport, 1PM
Online Reporter