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Matabeleland Warriors, second on the log with 24 points from six games, have declared that they will not underestimate their city rivals and are geared up for a tough game. They are four points behind log leaders Harare Sports Club.
“Derbies are tricky in the sense that the players know each other very well and it is not easy to say what the game will be like. We are preparing hard for the game and we are looking forward to some interesting rugby with the hope of getting maximum points.
“We struggled with our game against Old Miltonians and we hope to put up a good show. Hopefully, the best team of the day will win,” said Matabeleland Warriors’ coach Rueben Kumpasa.
In their last National Rugby League match against city rivals Old Miltonians, Matabeleland Warriors had to fight hard for their narrow 21-20 win.
Flyhalf Lloyd Machanjaire will lead his Matabeleland Warriors team that has fullback Terence Kuvarega, Tapiwa Mangezi, loose head prop Kudzai Madzengenyedzi and second centre Percy Ncube.
Western Panthers’ rising star Irvine “Bhuda” Nduwa said they will not be pushovers and declared that they will give Matabeleland Warriors a good run for their money.
He said their humiliating 65-14 home defeat to Harare Sports Club was now water under the bridge.
“If you look, we had managed to hold Harare Sports Club up to halftime but fizzled out in the second half. We have forgotten about that loss and we are now concentrating on our next games.
“The game against Matabeleland Warriors will be tough but we are ready for them and they should expect a good fight,” Nduwa said.
Western Panthers have former Cheetahs star Silethokuhle “Slatter” Ndlovu, Masimba Musiyapinda, Knowledge Moyo and Tichaona Mupamadzi to bank on tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Old Miltonians travel to Harare for a tricky encounter against Harare Sports Club.
Old Miltonians will be without their suspended skipper Theo Weale who received a red card during their 21-20 loss to Matabeleland Warriors a fortnight ago and they will pin their hopes on Nelson Madida, Tawanda Mhora and Velile Dube.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Matabeleland Warriors v Western Panthers (Hartsfield), Harare Sports Club v Old Miltonians (Harare Sports Club), Airforce v Gweru (Manyame), Old Georgians v Old Hararians (Harare Sports Club)
Online Reporter