By Sikhumbuzo Moyo
BULAWAYO – Tomorrow’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter between Tsholotsho FC and Caps United has been moved to Barbourfields Stadium.
The match had initially been pencilled for White City Stadium but the recently renovated stadium now plays host to a National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe track and field competition today and tomorrow.
Makepekepe immediately welcomed the switch with coach Mark Harrison saying he was looking forward to playing at “a much more nicer and spacious pitch”.
“Our match is now at BF. We were told that White City Stadium was booked by athletics people for their competition although we were not consulted and we really would have wanted to play there,” said Tsholotsho chairman Mlamuli Phiri.
Harrison said he had all along been preparing to lead his charges at White City Stadium and was naturally happy when told that the match is now at Emagumeni.
“Barbourfields Stadium’s turf is marvellous and I’m really looking forward to it once more,” said Harrison.
He said he was also happy that things had normalised at the club following boardroom changes but said it might take two to three weeks before the team gets into the proper groove.
“Now that the players have got money I need to manage them to stay focused and concentrate on playing football; it’s a lot nicer now but I think it might take us two to three weeks before we hit cruising mode,” said Harrison.
Harare businessman Farai Jere took over the reins as president of the club from Twine Phiri following months of restlessness.
The regime change seems to have restored some normalcy on the field of play with the team’s “bad boy” Rodrick Mutuma returning to training after earlier quitting the club in a huff citing non-payment of dues.
Still bubbling with confidence after holding champions Dynamos to a 0-0 draw at Rufaro Stadium in the capital on Africa Day, Iziqholo zeZhwane will be hoping their strikers bring their shooting boots tomorrow so that they get maximum points against Caps.
Tsholotsho have played once at Emagumeni in this campaign in a 0-1 loss to Highlanders and they make a return tomorrow against a side that has destroyed the mysticism once associated with the venue.
However, Tsholotsho need to transform their romantic type of football into positive results if they are to make a mark in their debut season in the topflight.
They were so dominant against Dongo Sawmills and could have easily scored half a dozen goals, but they settled for a draw due to poor marksmanship.
Coach Lizwe Sweswe says his boys are not really playing romantic football but are just unlucky when it comes to the final execution of a move.
“It’s a matter of time; they will soon get it right because in all the games we have played, they have really been getting into the opposition’s final third but the final shot has been our biggest headache,” said Sweswe.
He said preparations for tomorrow’s game are on well on course with no injuries in camp and all players are available for selection.
“We prepared in the same way we do for other teams, not putting any special programme because it’s Caps United. To us it does not matter whether their boardroom issues are back to normal or not as we are only focused on the game,” said Sweswe.
Fixtures:
Today: Chicken Inn v Buffaloes (Luveve Stadium), FC Platinum v Highlanders ( Mandava Stadium), Flame Lily FC v Dongo Sawmill ( Lafarge Stadium)
Tomorrow: How Mine FC v ZPC Kariba (Luveve Stadium), Whawha v Hwange (Ascot Stadium), Tsholotsho v Caps United ( Barbourfields Stadium), Dynamos v Triangle United ( National Sports Stadium).
- Meanwhile, Taurai Mangwiro stormed off the bench in protest of the referees’ decisions as his side Harare City put on a spirited fight to gun down Chapungu 2-0 in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro yesterday. The Chronicle
