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NewsDay

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Green Machine face struggling Shabanie

Sport
After two straight wins and a 10-goal haul to start the season — how about a third for Caps United? It’s certainly not out of the question for Castle Lager Premier Soccer league early pacesetters, especially as they romped to a 2-0 hammering of visitors Shabanie Mine. There is little to suggest similar proficiency in […]

After two straight wins and a 10-goal haul to start the season — how about a third for Caps United?

It’s certainly not out of the question for Castle Lager Premier Soccer league early pacesetters, especially as they romped to a 2-0 hammering of visitors Shabanie Mine.

There is little to suggest similar proficiency in front of goal couldn’t be the order of the day again when the troubled asbestos team visit Rufaro.

The irresistible Simba Sithole, a rejuvenated Evans Gwekwerere, and the efficient Pride Tafirenyika likely to be deployed at the weekend, have already accounted for 10 goals the Green Machine have notched so far this season.

And how Shabanie Mine must be dreading this game!

Shabanie’s disastrous start to the season saw them going down 3–0, 2–0 to Highlanders and Chicken Inn respectively, results that saw the whole executive and the technical team headed by coach Saul Chaminuka being axed.

Caps United is perhaps absolutely the last team the troubled squad would want to play as they look to get off the mark.

Reports from the Midlands say the team had not trained until yesterday as confusion in the Shabanie mine camp unfolded.

And in the event one brave coach decides to assume the post before the match, his first task will likely be to set out his side’s stall to defend, and hope they can hold on for as long as possible against a force quickly beginning to look unstoppable.

However, there is something wrong with the Green Machine’s defence that cannot just keep a clean sheet.

In the two games they have played so far, they have conceded a total five goals and coach Moses Chunga should be a worried man.

Black Mambas has begun this season from where they left last year, losing matches at will.

The team has lost their first two matches and John Ncube will be hoping to rescue his already sinking ship when he hosts Zimbabwe Saints at Morris Depot on Saturday.

Another loss for the police outfit and alarm bells will start to ring loud in their camp.

Shooting Stars, who are also having their fair share of problems will host high riding Blue Ribbon at Gwanzura Stadium knowing very well a third defeat against the Premiership newboys will be disastrous.

The Tamba Wakaguta boys, as Blue Ribbon are affectionately known, are gradually adjusting to life in gruelling league and are sitting at an impressive third position on the log with four points.

Equally impressive is Chicken Inn, who are sitting pretty on second position with four points but their mantle will be tested again this weekend when they host 2008 champions Gunners.

Moneybags FC Platinum, who were not in action last weekend will host Monomotapa at Maglas stadium. Monomotapa will be coming into the match with their tails up after humbling Highlanders at Rufaro last weekend.

Castle Lager Premier Soccer League weekend fixtures

Saturday: Black Mambas v Zimbabwe Saints (Morris Depot Stadium), Shooting Stars v Blue Ribbon Stars (Gwanzura), Caps United v Shabanie Mine (Rufaro Stadium), Chicken Inn v Gunners (Luveve Stadium), FC Platinum v Monomotapa (Maglas Stadium)

Sunday: Motor Action v Dynamos (Rufaro), Highlanders v Masvingo United (Barbourfields), Kiglon v Hwange (Gwanzura)