Zimbabwe Saints hope to collect maximum points when they play Masvingo United in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Luveve Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
Chikwata hastily assembled a squad just before the start of the season after acquiring Eagles’ franchise and went on to get a baptism of fire when they met on-fire Caps United in Harare in their first match. They lost 5-3 to the Green Machine.
The Willard “Mashinkila” Khumalo-coached side picked up the tempo in the second game and claimed the scalp of Kiglon 1-0 at Luveve Stadium.
Khumalo then faltered when he lost to his boyhood and former Warriors playmate Madinda Ndlovu’s police side Black Mambas 2-1 in Harare in the third match.
Yesterday, Khumalo said he was expecting to get positive results from the Masvingo United match on Thursday afternoon.
“We are looking forward to the match. We are ready for the game and expecting positive results. I urge Zimbabwe Saints supporters to come and watch good football,” Khumalo said.
Zimbabwe Saints boast former Dynamos duo of Philip Sithole and Tafadzwa Maingire. Also in Chikwata’s ranks are nomadic Leo Kurauzvione, former Highlanders and Bantu Rovers Danisa Phiri and Voster Chitema.
Masvingo United come into this afternoon’s match without five regular players, whom coach Luke “Vahombe” Masomere would not mention and give reasons for their absence.
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He however said he was ready for the match. “We are geared for the match. We do not have any injuries and are expecting a positive game although I won’t be having five regular players due to some other reasons, but we are training,” Masomere said.
Masvingo United players have been on strike over unpaid salaries. However, a fortnight ago Masomere was full of praise for his charges for holding Highlanders to a goalless draw at Barbourfields Stadium without having trained due to the industrial action.
They have not had a bad start to the season, winning a match at home and drawing two matches on the road.
In their first match, Masvingo drew 0-0 with Monomotapa in Harare before they beat Hwange 2-1 at Mucheke Stadium and forcing a goalless draw against Highlanders. Goalkeeper Francis Tizayi played his heart out shutting out the Highlanders strikers.
Douglas Zimbago and Takunda Mapara might also feature against their former paymasters Bosso. Masvingo also have Pevington Zimunya, veteran Peter Makuvise and the Sinamai brothers, Vengai and Partson.
In another match lined up for Thursday afternoon, ambitious Chicken Inn travel to Harare where they take on Black Mambas while the Bulawayo soccer giants Highlanders, spirits high after lifting the Independence Trophy also make a trip to the capital tomorrow for a date with Gunners.
Hwange also travel to Harare where they clash with Dynamos on Friday.
