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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
PREMIERSHIP aspirants Tsholotsho FC have described their Zifa Southern region Division One Soccer League encounter with Hwange Juniors tomorrow as a “do or die” match.
The Zhwane Boys are perfectly positioned to earn the topflight slot with two games to go as they just need four points from a possible six.
They face Hwange Juniors at Tsholotsho Business Centre where the two sides met last week in the quarter-finals of the LG Foods 16 team tournament which the former won 12-11 after penalty shootouts.
Tsholotsho FC, with 51 points, enjoy a three-point lead over Black Boots and Technosphere who are heavily breathing down their necks.
“What is important is to win our game against Hwange Juniors and we will almost be there. It will be a different ball game altogether because the approach for a cup encounter is different to that of the league and as such we expect a changed outfit from Hwange Juniors.
“Last week we rested some of our key players and they also did the same. So, basically we are not reading much into that game and we are treating them as if we have never played them before,” said Lizwe Sweswe, Tsholotsho FC coach.
Tsholotsho FC rested leading Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League scorer Stanley Chirambadare who has 12 goals to his account, steady defensive midfielder Butholezwe “Ncue” Ncube, their right back McLive “Skippy” Phiri and Ocean Ncube for their Hwange Juniors’ cup game.
Hwange Juniors are upbeat for tomorrow’s encounter with their assistant coach Edmore “Mamkhwebu” Sibanda saying they are going for three points.
“We are professionals and don’t do anyone favours. That cup victory psyched the boys and they believe we can come out with maximum points. It won’t be easy but we will fight to the last whistle because we are also targeting at finishing the season strongly,” said the former Highlanders eccentric goalkeeper.
While the Zhwane Boys will be in the hunt for maximum points at home, Technosphere are on the road to Bulawayo for a date with tricky New West while Black Boots travel to Hwange for a rescheduled tie against Mpumalanga.
“We haven’t thrown in the towel because anything can happen in the last games. We still have hope that if we win our games we will enhance our championship hopes even though the destiny is no longer in our hands,” said Black Boots coach Kudzai Mutuda.
With the championship race at its zenith stage, observers have called on the Musa Mandaza executive to be on high alert for match manipulation moves.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Tsholotsho FC v Hwange Juniors (Tsholotsho), New West v Technosphere (Raylton), Elephants FC v Plumtree Chiefs (Brady Barracks), Quelaton v Trumus (Nust), Portland Cement v Mpumalanga (cancelled), Black Boots v ZPC Hwange (already played), Mpumalanga v Black Boots (Hwange), ZPC Hwange v Old Nic Mine (Hwange)
Wednesday: November19, 2014: Old Nic Mine v Ntabazinduna (Old Nic Mine)
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