×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Chapungu, Hardbody clash

Sport
Chapungu and Hardbody cross swords in a Zifa Central Region Division One Football League top-of-the-table match at Ascot Stadium on Saturday. The potentially-stormy affair would have Hardbody’s intentions of stretching their seven-point gap at the log apex clear, while Chapungu are out to trim the busmen’s lead. Unbeaten Chapungu have won six games and drawn […]

Chapungu and Hardbody cross swords in a Zifa Central Region Division One Football League top-of-the-table match at Ascot Stadium on Saturday.

The potentially-stormy affair would have Hardbody’s intentions of stretching their seven-point gap at the log apex clear, while Chapungu are out to trim the busmen’s lead.

Unbeaten Chapungu have won six games and drawn five to facilitate Hardbody’s seemingly comfortable lead which has come with no share of spoils, but 10 wins and only two losses.

Interestingly, both teams go into this Gweru derby having never lost a match at Ascot Stadium this season.

Chapungu who used to score goals for fun seem to have lost their teeth upfront as evidenced by the five goals they have scored in their last three assignments as compared to the 21 they once pumped in between week two and four.

Their striker Brighton Mugoni who is also the league’s leading marksman with nine goals has endured a three-game goal-scoring barren spell. Hardbody who have chief striker Callisto Maheya sitting on the scoring chart with six goals have found the back of the net seven times in their last three outings in which they have registered victories.

Chapungu coach Innocent Chogugudza on Friday could not be drawn into giving insight into Sunday’s clash citing personal reasons preventing him from talking to the Press.

His opposite number Tavaka Gumbo said they are not giving Chapungu any special treatment, before declaring a clean bill-of-health in his squad.

“We are taking Saturday’s match as any other game. Without taking anything away from Chapungu, they are a very good side but we are also in great form. I am happy we have no injuries or suspensions in camp, so everyone is fit to play,” said Gumbo.

But the club recently lost Young Warriors midfielder Pride Zivengwa who is now training with Bantu Rovers, while Zambian import Zulian Phiri is yet to secure his work permit.

Elsewhere, a Matabeleland South derby will be raging at Dulibadzimu Stadium as Tripple B square up with McInn on Sunday.

Coming out of a three-game winless streak which yielded a meagre two points and as many goals, Tripple B’s priorities are to rejuvenate their faltering campaign.

On the other hand, Anderson Phiri’s McInn, whose title push has equally lost momentum, arrive in the border town eager to bounce back into contention.