adminPaul Mundandi in Zvishavane
TROUBLED Shabanie Mine want to collect maximum points when they play Bantu Rovers at Maglas Stadium tomorrow. “We need maximum points at home. I can’t lose two games in a row, that is not possible. We are going to utilise home advantage and make sure we remain within shouting distance on the PSL log. To be the best you have to be among the best,” said head coach John Phiri.
Bantu started the season on a bad note after losing 1-0 to Black Rhinos and Dynamos 3-1 at home but picked up maximum points when they beat fellow Bulawayo side How Mine 3-1 and Chapungu 2-0.
It will be their first away match outside Bulawayo and they have predicted a tough game.
“We are approaching it with caution and its difficult to play a team that has not lost at home,” said Mandla Mpofu, the Bantu Rovers assistant coach.
Tshintsha Guluva will be missing Emberton Tshuma and attacking midfielder Raphael Kutinyu who are both injured.
Teenage Hadebe, veteran Zephaniah Ngodzo, Lawson Nkomo, Obadiah Tarumbwa, Siza Dube, former Under-20 captain Nqobizitha Masuku and Proud Zireni are expected to cause trouble for the asbestos miners tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Lloyd Mutasa has sent a bold statement that he is prepared to break another jinx tomorrow afternoon when his FC Platinum side visits Gwanzura Stadium for a date with ZPC Kariba.
“It’s proper to be associated with history as long it is good for the institution. I am looking forward to breaking another jinx and collect maximum points tomorrow,” he said.
Mutasa on Saturday last week managed to beat Caps United for the first time since 2011 when the miners were promoted. Last season he also beat Dynamos and tomorrow he meets league debutantes ZPC Kariba who are yet to lose a match this season.
“Playing a team that is unbeaten is good because you can only underrate them at your own peril. ZPC might be new in the league but they have seasoned players who have been in the Premiership for a very long time. We need to remain focused, be good travellers and this should start in Harare,” he added.
Stocky Njabulo Ncube is not available for selection since he has just started light training.
In another Zvishavane development FC Platinum official Joseph Mususa has withdrawn his case against Hwange coach Nation Dube.
A visit by Chronicle to the Zvishavane magistrates courts yesterday established that the case has been withdrawn as the two parties did not show up.
“We have withdrawn the case and it will be handled by the PSL,’ said the FC Platinum spokesperson Chido Chizondo.
The PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele confirmed that he had received a complaint from the platinum miners.
“I can confirm that we received the complaint from FC Platinum and we have forwarded it to the disciplinary committee,” said Ndebele.
Dube was facing a charge of conduct likely to provoke the breach of peace Section 41 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
The Hwange coach was summoned following his team’s league victory over FC Platinum on April 12, facing accusations of verbally assaulting Mususa an hour before the league match.
Dube denied the allegations and opted to go to the courts to defend himself.
Dube parked his car at Gate Number 7 blocking the FC Platinum bus which was driving into the stadium. Mususa then gave instructions to have Gate Number 6 opened which was then used by the Platinum bus. Dube is alleged to have followed the Platinum bus to the same gate and when Mususa tried to stop him he was pushed by the car.
The two exchanged harsh words and minutes before the match the police approached Dube.
The withdrawal came after the PSL had warned FC Platinum that they risked being summoned to a hearing for taking football matters to court.
The league’s rules and regulations are against taking football matters to the courts of law.
The league felt the matter could be resolved in a friendly manner as football is all about friendship.
Online Reporter