The Sunday News
Sports Reporter
Five games are lined up today in the Zifa Matabeleland South Province Division Two League including one fixture pitting promotion favourites Habane Pirates and Gwanda Delete as they head into the halfway stage.
Going into today’s encounter, one match pairing Gwanda sides Super Strikers and Boys Academy was played yesterday. Pirates head into today’s must win encounter and are top of the log standings courtesy of a better goal difference.
Pirates are tied on 19 points with Super Strikers but have a +13 goal difference having scored 19 goals compared to Strikers whose goal difference is +6 having scored 15 and conceded 9 from their 10 games.
Pirates’ opponents this afternoon at Mphelele Stadium in Habane, Gwanda Delete are fourth, one point behind Pirates. The trailing pack is led by third-placed Boys Academy who are one point behind with 18 points albeit from eight matches.
Pirates and Delete are both smarting from morale sapping losses last weekend. Pirates were edged 2-1 away to Filabusi-based Talen Vision Academy while Delete were handed a 3-1 drubbing by Unicem in Collen Bawn.
This was Pirates’ first loss of the season but they could head into the mid-season break in second or third place, denting their title aspirations. Pirates head coach, Archford Hlazo is confident that this afternoon’s encounter will be difficult especially coming from the narrow loss to Talen Vision, but said his lads are ready for the challenge.
“We lost to Talen Vision last week but we will not let that deter us against Delete. The boys are ready for what they know will be a difficult fixture and I expect them to do the best they can as we head into the break,” Hlazo said.
Pirates will be hoping for good performances from forwards Tonderai Muhambi and Alpha Kufa. Mvuthu High School’s Leroy Hlatshwayo started for this first time this season against Talen Vision and showed class. The playmaker will be expected to feed Muhambi and Kufa while controlling the tempo in the middle of the park. Ex-Zim Leopards defensive midfielder, Moment Moyo will provide the skilful linkman with cover.
In other matches today, fifth-placed Unicem are away to Farvic while sixth-placed Mawabeni are home to Vumbachikwe Mine U-19. Horn Mine welcome Talen Vision to Freda Mine while Jessie Mine are home to West Nicholson.
Fixtures:
Habane Pirates vs Gwanda Delete (Mphelele Stadium); Mawabeni United vs Vumbachikwe Mine (Mawabeni); Jessie Mine vs West Nicholson (Jessie Mine); Horn Mine vs Talen Vision Academy (Freda Mine); Farvic vs Unicem (Farvic).
