Bulawayo derby looms
.... as Arenel Movers, Byo Chiefs meet in derby tie
ARENEL Movers are this afternoon set to play host to city neighbours Bulawayo Chiefs in a potential nailbiting derby tie at Luveve Stadium.
Movers are a bruised lot as they are smarting from two consecutive defeats that saw them fall to Yadah Stars and Dynamos.
However, the Sweet Boys head coach, Farai Tawachera has refused to read much into that saying derby matches are always difficult to predict.
“It is pleasing to note that we played well against Dynamos, we dominated them in the second half as we controlled the game and we managed to pull one goal back. This time around, we are engaging in a derby match and these kind of matches are always difficult. It will not be all about us the coaches, it will be about the players. We just need to psyche up the players after a light training we had this morning (Friday),” said
Tawachera.
His side will have veterans Moses Jackson, Toto Banda, Emmanuel Chikwende, goalkeeper Aaron Ngwenya and Timothy January, among others to bank on.
On the other hand, Amakhosi Amahle, who drew one all against CAPS United in their previous fixture, will be looking forward to see their top goal scorer Never Rauzhi, Xolisani “Scara” Moyo, Emmanuel Chikwende and gritty Joe Nyabinde bring their “A” game.
Rauzhi was last week voted Football Union of Zimbabwe (Fuz) April Player of the Month.
Chiefs first choice goalkeeper, Prosper Matutu picked up an injury in their game against CAPS United and he was ably replaced by unheralded Munashe Ndlovu.
It was a match in which the Twitter Boys were under the guidance of their assistant coach, Bekithemba Ndlovu amid revelations that their head coach Thulani “Thuts” Sibanda was not feeling well.
“I could not make it for our game against CAPS United. I’m still recovering as we look forward to this derby match. It’s an unpredictable game. The boys from both sides will certainly go out there to prove themselves. It’s a match that can go either way,” said Sibanda.
Highlanders have an away fixture against Greenfuel at Greenfuel Arena.
Bosso are likely to miss the services of defensive duo of Andrew Mbeba and Gillian Nyathi who picked up knocks during their one all draw against Manica Diamonds last Thursday.
“The match against Manica Diamonds, is done and dusted. We lost two points at home. There are still four points that we have to pick to catch up with the teams that are on top of the log. The only challenge is that Andrew (Mbeba) and Gillian (Nyathi) got injured and had to come out of that game against Manica. We are not sure that they are going to recover on time for the game we are playing away,” said Highlanders head coach, Kelvin Kaindu.
Manica Diamonds will battle against sporadic Hwange at Mutare’s Sakubva Stadium.
Diamonds’ stalemate against Bosso saw their eight-match fine running streak come to a halt.
Harare’s Rufaro Stadium will be the venue between CAPS United and Simba Bhora.
CAPS United v Simba Bhora (Rufaro), Arenel Movers v Bulawayo Chiefs (Luveve), Manica Diamonds v Hwange (Sakubva), Greenfuel v Highlanders (Greenfuel Arena)