Tsholotsho plot FC Platinum’s downfall
RELEGATION threatened Tsholotsho FC will not go down without a fight, meaning that Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title hopefuls FC Platinum should brace for a tough encounter against the lowly placed side. Forget about the relegation impasse between Zifa and the PSL, third from the bottom Tsholotsho are plotting FC Platinum’s downfall. The platinum miners are second on the table with 58 points, two behind Caps United who face Chapungu at Ascot Stadium needing nothing other than victory to land the trophy they last laid their hands on in 2005. wi n for Tsholotsho tied on 26 points second from the Mutare City who Ngezi Platinum Stars Stadium — will effectively United the title and save that is if the PSL succeeds in teams instead of four that Zifa
A — with b o t t om take on at Baobab hand Caps them the chop, relegating two wants them to axe.
Lizwe Sweswe, Tsholotsho’s gaffer described the game against FC Platinum as “the league’s biggest game of the weekend” which they are intent on winning.
“Our game against FC Platinum is a game to watch because they’re fighting for the title and we want to survive relegation. I think we showed a couple of weeks back that we have a squad of players who can hold their own when we beat Highlanders. Of course that victory is water under the bridge but this being the league’s biggest game of the weekend, as a coach there is nothing much that I can do as the match on its own motivates the lads.
“The guys have been working hard at training and they understand the importance of winning this tie. In order to survive we just have to win this encounter and FC Platinum can underrate us at their own peril,” said Sweswe.
Tsholotsho go into the weekend game smarting from a 1-2 loss to Bulawayo City and have to be at their best to get a victory against a side that is bubbling with confidence
To this date, Grobbelaar remains the most decorated goalkeeper in English Football. Best known for his unflappable confidence and unconventional style of play, it is the unique flair that Grobbelaar brought to the game that many credit for Liverpool’s European Cup victory over Roma on penalty kicks.
In all, Grobbelaar made 816 professional appearances that also include 24 appearances in the NASL with the Vancouver Whitecaps during the 1979-80 season.
Born in Durban, South Africa, Grobbelaar was raised in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) and would go on to be capped 36 times from 1980-1998 for the Warriors. He was twice briefly player-manager of the Warriors. — @skhumoyo2000 THE 2016 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season has ended for seven players who were suspended last weekend after being shown their third yellow cards ahead of the finale this weekend.
The two league title chasing teams Caps United and FC Platinum will, however, have a full complement as they troop into Gweru’s Ascot Stadium and Bulawayo’s Luveve Stadium respectively.
Leaders Caps United will take on Chapungu while FC Platinum are away to Tsholotsho FC.
“Please note that the player(s) listed hereunder have each accumulated three (3) yellow cards and will be suspended for one match respectively.
The said player(s) shall not participate in their club’s matchday 30 of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches scheduled for the 25th to 26th November 2016,” wrote Kudzai Bare, the PSL media and liaison
following a 3-0 home win over Highlanders.
Tsholotsho’s hopes against the platinum miners will be pinned on the likes of defender-turned-striker MacClive Phiri, defensive midfielder Zimiseleni Moyo, Ayanda Ncube, forward Mostafa Ponyera and goalkeeper Mariyoni Chang, among others.
Tsholotsho will be without suspended Nkosilathi Ncube who has three yellow cards.
The Zhwane boys have to be on the lookout for contender for Soccer Star of the Year finalist Winston Mhango, striker Charles Sibanda, overlapping wingback Ian Nekati and Elvis Moyo, attacking midfielder Walter Musona and speedy winger Marshal Mudehwe.
Meanwhile, a derby between Bulawayo City and How Mine is one of the two games that have been lined up for tomorrow, with the other being the Harare City-Triangle United encounter at Rufaro Stadium. leftback officer in a communiqué yesterday.
The seven players set to sit it out are Wisdom Mutasa (Dynamos), Nkosilathi Moyo (Tsholotsho) Dexter Mawere (Harare City), Devine Lunga (Chicken Inn), Thembani Masuku (How Mine), Tendai Hove (ZPC Kariba) and Tendai Ngulube (Highlanders).
Mutasa and Lunga will miss their sides’ clash, which has been dubbed “fight for top-four finish” set for Rufaro Stadium on Saturday.
Deposed champions Chicken Inn, who have been on a steady rise since the early weeks of Rahman Gumbo’s take over, have always given The Glamour Boys a good run for their money either in Bulawayo or Harare.
Chicken Inn hammered Dynamos 3-0 in the season opener at Barbourfields Stadium and will be eager to complete a double over them.
The absence of Lunga though will have a negative impact on the Gamecocks’ game plan as he has been a vital cog on the left side of defence and the legendary championship winning coach Gumbo needs to find a suitable replacement for him. — skhumoyo2000