Under pressure Byo City press for win in Hwange

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO City coach Philani Ncube believes it is only a matter of time before his side starts converting chances they create in their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League games.

Pressure is mounting on the municipal club following three consecutive league defeats to Harare City (2-0), Caps United (2-1) and last weekend’s 0-1 loss to Dynamos.

City’s last victory was the 1-0 over Mutare City Rovers on June 12 at Sakubva Stadium.

This Sunday, City is away to Hwange at the Colliery Stadium and Ncube is hoping his side gets it right.

“Obviously whether you win or lose in football there’s pressure. Unfortunately now it’s negative pressure because I’ve to lift the players’ spirits. What hurts or puzzles most is that we’ve been playing well, but we’re coming short in the final third. However, we’ve not given in yet as we’re training hard to make sure we get our act right, especially upfront. Who knows, perhaps the Hwange trip may be the start of better fortunes for us,” Ncube said.

The 2009 PSL Coach of the Year watched his side failing to turn their dominance into goals against Dynamos at Barbourfields last week, with veteran striker Mkhokheli Dube missing from point blank range by blazing over the bar with DeMbare keeper Tatenda Mukuruva stranded.

Some of City’s strikers that are failing to convert chances created by their midfielders include Mkhululi Moyo and Thomas Chimenya.

City will be hoping skipper Xolisani Moyo continues with his fine form in central midfield by protecting the defence and instigating raids from the middle of the park against Hwange.

Moyo has been one of City’s most consistent players and is arguably one of the best defensive midfielders in the domestic league at the moment.

Goalkeeper Ndodana Sibanda, who made a mess of a corner kick that resulted in Dynamos’ goal last week, may lose his place to Liberty Chirava.

Ncube is aware of the threat posed by Hwange and is demanding that his charges “control the controllable” instead of chasing the game.

“What we should do is control the controllable and convert the chances we create into goals. Hwange are a good side and we’re bracing for a tough encounter. Just like us, they’ve won three game and they will want victory, especially playing at home,” Ncube said.

Hwange’s last victory was the 1-0 they registered against Triangle United on June 19.

That was followed by a shock 0-1 home loss to Mutare City Rovers, a 0-0 draw with Chicken Inn at the Colliery and a 1-1 draw against Caps United in Harare.

That Caps United result was a positive one for the coalminers going into Sunday’s match because the Green Machine are among the title contenders.

City will have to watch out for Hwange’s veteran striker Gilbert Zulu, Pritchard Mphelele, Newman Sianchali and Munyaradzi Mungadze, if they hope to return from the Colliery with a positive result.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: FC Platinum v Caps United (Mandava), Tsholotsho FC v Mutare City Rovers (White City), Chapungu v Chicken Inn (Ascot), Harare City v How Mine (Rufaro), Ngezi Platinum Stars v ZPC Kariba (Baobab)

Sunday: Hwange v Bulawayo City (Colliery), Highlanders v Triangle United (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Border Strikers (Rufaro)