Shabanie Mine coach Luke Masomere is already feeling the pressure at the top of the Castle Larger Premier Soccer League with just three games into the season.
The asbestos miners on Sunday came from behind to dispatch Blue Rangers 2-1 at Maglas Stadium to regain their lead by toppling Monomotapa who had assumed the driving seat for just 24 hours after edging Dynamos 1-0 on Saturday.
The two sides are tied on seven points at the top, but Shabanie enjoy a superior goal difference. Chinda Boys striker Nelson Mazivisa scored his third goal of the season when he cancelled Rangers’ lead courtesy of an awe-inspiring first half free kick by forgotten defender Nyasha Chazika, who then helplessly together with his team mates, watched Shabanie goalkeeper Victor Twaliki coolly slot in the hosts’ winning penalty.
“There is a lot of pressure on us now. When you are winning, people expect a lot from you and our fans always want us to maintain that rich vein of form so it is not that easy for us. But the good thing is that when you get good results, morale in the team also gets high,” said Masomere.
“Our plan is to fight relegation during this first half of the season and then maybe fight for honours in the second half, but now it is still premature to start talking of lifting the league title. Right now we are fighting relegation so a team which is fighting relegation is extremely dangerous.”
Shabanie Mine, who by far enjoy a huge following in Zvishavane, are already bracing for this weekend’s third edition of the mining town’s derby against FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium.
The platinum miners have the bragging rights after beating Shabanie home and away last season.
