The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO City coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube firmly believes his side can maintain their newly found winning ways when they meet Chapungu in a Castle Lager match at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon. City recorded their first victory in the top flight with a 1-0 triumph over defending champions Chicken Inn at Luveve Stadium last weekend with the only goal of the encounter coming from Eddy Nkhulungo in the first half. Ncube said in order for his team to replicate what they did against Chicken Inn, they will have to work harder than last week.
“They (Chapungu) are a good side. We have to work really hard, looking to repeat what we did against Chicken Inn, we have to work hard as a unit,’’ said Ncube.
Amakhosi head into today’s clash missing the services of the injured duo of Warren Dube and Welcome Ndiweni. Also ruled out is the suspended Proud Zireni who has to sit out after accumulating three yellow cards. Bulawayo City have had a fair start in their maiden appearance in the top league. They started off the season with a 2-2 draw with How Mine, lost 1-0 to Tsholotsho, held ZPC Kariba to 1-1 stalemate and are on a high after defeating defending champions Chicken Inn last Saturday which sees Amakhosi sit on six points.
Seasoned goalkeeper Ndodana Sibanda provides a safe pair of hands in goals with his defence expected to be made up of Lewis “Rambo’’ Ncube, Nyasha Mukumbi, Terrence Majo and Zibusiso Sibanda. Skipper Xolisani “Scarra” Moyo was outstanding against Chicken Inn and is certain to make up the midfield with Nkhulungo, Innocent Kutsanzira as well as Brain Chikwenya to provide a supply chain for Emmanuel Mandiranga and Mkhokheli Dube.
Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino has promised a fast paced approach to the game. Nyikadzino, in Bulawayo for a second consecutive week, does not read much into the City’s performance so far in the season as he believes that they had benefited from “playing in familiar territory”. Nyikadzino vowed to make City run this afternoon and is convinced that their problems were linked to their failure to score.
“Our main problem is scoring, we have been dominating play but not scoring. If we score something good will come out. There shall be a lot of running, we will be true soldiers that we are, we are not taking anything from Bulawayo City,’’ said Nyikadzino. “We are expecting a tough match. BF is more like our second home, it gives us a bit of advantage even though we are playing away,’’ said Nyikadzino.
He agrees that their start has not been good, but that they were very much geared up for the clash against City and hopefully come up with a positive result.
“Our start has not been that good, we have been in this situation before, we are not reading much into how Bulawayo City have played so far, we will see how they are playing on Sunday because three of those games were derbies. We are very much prepared for the game, we want to pick up points as soon as possible,’’ Nyikadzino added.
The airmen head into the clash minus their captain Colleen Kwaramba who was sent off for handling a goal bound effort from Highlanders striker Prince Dube which resulted in a penalty to Bosso that was converted by Knox Mutizwa.
It has not been rosy for Chapungu with just one win, a 2-0 triumph over Hwange in their second match of the season. They have drawn once while they have been on the losing end three times for a total of four points.
Veteran Philip Marufu, on as a substitute last Sunday should return to lead the side that also has key players such as Roy Mazingi, Blessing Zabula, William Ngonya, Rodwell Mhlanga, Patrick Kumbula and Tongai Magwendere all capable of leading Waru Waru to victory.
