West Nicholson raring to go

CENTRAL Region Soccer League surprise package of the season, West Nicholson insist they have fully prepared for the second half of the season and will fight to the very end to gain promotion to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) at the end of the season.
West Nicholson are in third place on the table, three points behind the leaders Blanket Mine, with 38 points.

While many feel they have punched above their weight, West Nicholson coach, Ofhani Muleya believes they deserve to be among the leading pack.

He says they have used the mid-season break to address issues he felt affected them in the first half of the season.

The Gwanda side will resume the second half of the season with a tricky away trip to Grain Tigers in Kwekwe on Monday.

“This mid-season has been beneficial to us in many ways,” said Muleya.

“Mainly, we have been working on a number of areas that we felt we had shortcomings in; we added a number of players to the squad and we hope the new players will hit the ground running.”

Muleya did not reveal the names of the new players, but this publication is reliably informed that the club has re-engaged midfielder Menard Gumbo and a few other players from Talen Vision.

One of the areas Muleya feels his side needs to work on is getting results in the Gwanda derbies, where they fared poorly in the first half.

“This time around, we want to make sure we get results in the derbies. In the first half we managed two points only, and that cost us a lot.

“I know that many other teams will cancel each other out; we just have to be in a position to take advantage.

“The race is very much open for everyone, and we will fancy our chances to get it done,” he added.

Meanwhile, cross-town rivals, Gwanda Pirates, will also be on the road on Sunday when they travel to face a resurgent FC Platinum U19.

Super Strikers are at home to former Premiership side, Shabanie Mine at Phelandaba Stadium on Saturday.

The biggest match of the weekend is on Sunday when log leaders, Blanket Mine, lock horns with second-placed Chapungu at Sabiwa Stadium.
Fixtures: Saturday

MSU v Kwekwe United, ZRP Gwanda v Sabi Gold Mine, Vhembe Stars Academy v Tongogara, Shurugwi FC v Dulibadzimu, Matobo FC v Good Morning.
Sunday:
Blanket Mine v Chapungu, Super Strikers v Shabanie, FC Platinum U19 v Gwanda Pirates.
Monday:
Grain Tigers v West Nicholson