All eyes on Chikuni as Chapungu, Shabanie clash Hwange seek to break jinx
WILL Chipangano finally exorcise the ghost that has been haunting them for the past three Castle Lager Premier League home games where they have not only failed to pick up a single point but also have failed to score?
The coalminers have another potential step on banana peels tomorrow when they face unpredictable Triangle United on the backdrop of home losses to Ngezi Platinum (3-0), identical 1-0 defeats to Dynamos and Chicken Inn.
Chronicle Sport took to the streets of Hwange ahead of what is a make or break encounter tomorrow against Triangle FC, who ironically are also finding it difficult to win at home at Gibbo Stadium.
The charismatic and self-styled “Madzibaba” Henry Luphahla declared the dark days at home are over.
“My friend we are winning and a vision has shown me a 2-0 win for Chipangano. The team is now intact and the nerves are now calm and home wins are now starting,” said the Luphahla.
Prosper Neshavi from Lusumbami Village said a win tomorrow will kick-start the good times.
“A win is in the offing as personally I rate the current youngsters higher than last year’s veterans and I’m sure they will keep their nerves tomorrow and win. I believe in Nation (Dube, the coach) who also needs to do a lot to psyche up the boys and make them believe in themselves,” he said.
Ishmael Kwidini from Lukosi denied there is a jinx at home.
“First of all there is no jinx and this can be proved if they enter the stadium with the right frame of mind and a win will make them realise they are masters of their own destiny,” said Kwidini. Lwendulu-based Misheck Ncube said: “The boys are now used to the stadium and the supporters in general and I am sure we will start winning. Those who came earlier and won were lucky,” he said.
Morgan Njovu from Dinde says the performance against FC Platinum shows the boys can now win at home.
“That was a brave and encouraging performance from the boys who lost away through a controversial penalty in my opinion and I can declare that [on Sunday] they will make us happy at home,” said Njovu.
Brian Chikumbo from Ingagula urged the team to play as a unit and break the so called “curse”.
“We have an energetic squad which is backed by experienced players hence unity is needed because enough is enough, we need to break this ‘curse’ tomorrow. They should also utilise the pace of Nomore Chinyerere upfront and teams will face problems,” he said.
The supporters chairman Maybin Dizomba said:
“We have prayed enough and the football gods will give us victory tomorrow. The sugar cane boys will be [beaten] by the fire in action boys. That was a bad phase which has passed now,” said Dizomba. — @tobymandox ALL eyes will be on Chapungu gaffer Tendai Chikuni when he returns to Zvishavane’s Maglas Stadium where his team takes on Shabanie Mine in a Castle Lager Premiership encounter tomorrow.
Chikuni guided Shabanie Mine into the topflight after winning last season’s Central Region Division One Soccer League title.
He had already started implementing his programme of action in the Premiership for the Chinda Boys when the airmen lured him to Gweru.
There is a mixed sense of nostalgia and appreciation among the Shabanie Mine supporters with some viewing the coach as hero who took them to the Promised Land while others may view Chikuni’s actions of leaving their side for the airmen as betrayal.
Their convictions are cemented by the fact that Chikuni took some of their best players in Ricky Bota who was voted the best player in the Central Region, Lloyd Gwerina, Emmanuel Chitauro and goalkeeper Joseph Fernando. However, Chikuni is unfazed. “I knew this day would come but if you look at it, this is any other game that we are going to play. It is not going to be an easy match and we will approach it with caution. This game is more psychological from the aspect of the players because as coaches we have done our part. I know some supporters are not happy about our departure but everyone has got a life to live,” Chikuni said. Apart from the quartet, which Chikuni brought to Chapungu, the airmen are home to a number of former Shabanie Mine players who include Allan Tavarwisa, Roy Mazingi, William Ngonya, B lessed Mbavarira, Marvelous Dikinya as well as Xolani Ncube.
Chikuni would also be praying that his side collect its first set of maximum points since the season began with the best result the club has posted being the three draws against Triangle, Yadah and Highlanders.
On the other hand Shabanie Mine will also be hoping to bounce back to winning ways after suffering a 0-1 loss to log leaders Ngezi Platinum last weekend.
For Shabanie Mine technical manager Taku Shariwa, it is also a game in which he is going to face his mentor Rodwell Dhlakama who was roped into Chapungu structures with the same role.
Shariwa also faces a Chapungu side which also features his former protégé Patrick Khumbula whom he groomed during his days at Zifa Eastern Division One side Hippo Valley.
“I know there has been so much noise surrounding this game but we are not reading much into what the people are saying. Our aim as the technical team is to ensure that the club survives relegation and that we can only do if we win our games especially playing at home,” said Shariwa.
The Chinda Boys will be hoping to start to utilise home advantage where they have failed to bang the goals with their only strike at Maglas coming in their 1-0 win against Tsholotsho. — @ lavuzigara1