By Jefferson Ndhlovu
What was billed as the big match of the weekend has been struck of register due to stadium unavailability. The Harare derby betwen “Green Machine” Caps United and “Dembare” Dynamos FC will not be showcasing. But there are other mouthwatering encounters awaiting the soccer lovers on the Zimbabwean scene.
ZPC Kariba v Bulawayo FC
Nyamunhunga Stadium
15.00
Kariba
Bulawayo City have posted triple 2 in win, losses and draws respectively going into the seventh week. Along the way they have scored 6 and conceded the same numbers of goals.
They will arriving in the tourist town of Kariba to be hosted stubborn Magetsi boys ZPC fancing the chances of disconnecting the electricity providers team.
With six fixtures mostly so far played this season these teams are separated only by a point. ZPC has slowly been finding feet and quietly posting good results on their up the radar. So has Bulawayo City.
It’s a long trip from Bulawayo to Kariba and I suspect this could play on the minds of the Council side. Shrewd and veteran ZPC coach Sunday Chidzambwa should negotiate well in this match.
Tsholotsho Pirates v Harare City
Dulivhadzimu Stadium B
15.00
Beitbridge
Both Tsholotsho Pirates and Harare City have been looking for their first three points this calendar season. But both have come up shot. And are both lying in the red on the table.
It is especially disturbing for a formidable side atleast on paper for Harare City. It’s one of the teams in ZPSL who have the manpower and resources. Maybe it’s a gamble on the technical bench that is not upto it.
Both these teams need to start packing in three pointers before the actual relegation bells start to sound louder.
Ngezi Platinum v Shabani Mine
Baobab Stadium
15.00
Mhondoro
Premiership returnees Shabani Mine have had a decent start to the campaign and posted some impressive results along the way.
But they will arrive at the wounded Ngezi boys who determined to do better than last season. They Tonderayi Ndirayi coached side had looked like they would be running away with the league until the Yadah FC reminded them that it was still early days.
A 75th minute Simon Munawa solitary goal the past weekend against table toppers Highlanders was a sharp piercing in the heart of Ngezi Platinum. They would be looking to bounce back against the proving unpredictable Shabani Mine at the Baobab Stadium.
Apart from Dominic Mukandi who is suspended after accumulating three yellow cards. Ndiraya should have a full compliment to do battle on Saturday.
Chapungu vs Highlanders
Ascot Stadium
15.00
Gweru
Dutchman Errol Akbay is floating in glory as his team Highlanders is holding it’s own. Keeping the top position on the league. With twelve points out of the possible fifteen, they look poised to extended their stay at top as visit struggling Airmen Chapungu FC at Ascot Stadium.
Chapungu at the tail end of the table with two draws and four loses, don’t seem to have the answers to the problems bedeviling them at the moment. The arrival at their home turf by the inform Bosso is not the best to hope to bounce back. But again it’s matches like these that darkhorses tend to rise to the occasions and play with enthusiasm.
Honest Moyo will miss the trip to Gweru as player as he saves his one match ban after accumulation of mandatory yellow cards.
Bantu Rovers vs Yadah Stars
Luveve Stadium
15.00
Bulawayo
The “Prayer Boys” Yadah Stars and Bantu Rovers complete the Saturday fixtures in the week seven scheduling.
Bantu Rovers have conceded fifteen goals in the last six matches alone. And one wonders when that sieve will be mended. They welcome fellow promoted side Yadah Stars in the City of Kings. Yadah are already proving be a difficult client to deal though they got stopped in their tracks by seasoned campaigner giants Dynamos over the weekend.
They appear very poised to prove a point or two in this calendar.
Three points from log leaders is good return for the premiership debutants. Methemba Ndlovu the coach cum club should be having a torrid time resolving tactical issues. No doubt he is good coach and has proven to be good administrator. But can he combine the two get results.
It’s yet to be seen.
Chicken Inn vs Howmine
Luveve Stadium
15.00
Bulawayo
Howmine’s Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu over a week ago finally managed to a way to beat Dynamos FC. Kaindu had completely failed to win against Dembare in any league match since taking up coaching in Zimbabwe. He has mentored Highlanders and Triangle United and throughout his tenure at these clubs he could be beat them.
But seemingly the magic used in beating Chapungu to register their first three points of the season was a sign of good omen. As he has gone on to ratch up two more wins and send his side to fourth of the table.
In this Bulawayo derby Luveve Stadium against “Gamecocks” Chicken Inn he comes against a fellow former Highlanders and national team coach Rhaman Gumbo.
Howmine together with fellow Bulawayo sides Highlanders,Bantu Rovers and Kariba based side ZPC are the only sides not to have tested a drawn match. But this derby seemingly points to an angle of stalemate for the two sides.
Platinum FC vs Hwange FC
Maglas Stadium
15.00
Zvishavane
Moneybags Platinum FC have been posting disappointing drews in the last three games. This is a team that is amongst the highest paid personal in Zimbabwe and there is no reason they should not be winning the title.
Platinum welcome fellow miners in Hwange FC this Sunday at Maglas Stadium. It’s a game that Norman Mapeza needs to win to start putting up three pointers.
Triangle United vs Black Rhinos
Gibbo Stadium
15.00
Chiredzi
The “Sugarcan boys” Triangle United have always been a difficult side to outwit when they are playing at home.
It never matters who is mentoring them. And therefore Chauya Chimpembere as Black Rhinos are affectionately called by their legion of fans should weary that they could heading into a lions den.
The return to top flight football by the army side is looking all promising for them. Sitting nicely in fourth position wasn’t exactly the position many pundits would have predicted after six matches. But that’s the reality.
Rhinos can be cagey too and this could just be that match that ends in a draw as both clubs might be overly cautious.
