Caps United return to familiar territory tomorrow afternoon when they seek to make it five wins from five matches against high-flying Buffaloes in a Castle Lager Premiership football match at the National Sports Stadium.
Across town at Gwanzura Stadium, FC Platinum take on struggling Blue Rangers as both teams, who wear green and white jerseys, seek to keep pressure on leaders Highlanders.
With four wins from their last four matches, there is no doubt Caps United will be looking at adding Buffaloes to their list of casualties, although their major worry still remains a blunt strikeforce.
Their last win — 1-0 against Hardbody at Ascot Stadium in Gweru — was achieved through goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda’s free kick while strikers Clive Kawinga and Evans Gwekwerere have largely been basking in the winter sunshine.
Midfielder Rahman Kutsanzira has provided three goals so far and manager Sean Connor will have to consider going into the market next month.
Platinum forward Donald Ngoma, sidelined by injury since February, could make his long-awaited return against struggling Blue Rangers tomorrow.
Ngoma sustained an ankle injury during the Bob 88 Super Cup final against Hwange which the platinum miners won 2-0.
The bustling striker has not featured in a league match this year but last week played 15 minutes in a friendly match against neighbours Shabanie Mine at Maglas Stadium, which the former asbestos miners won 1-0.
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Platinum secretary-general Phil Muvengwa yesterday said they were excited that the striker could soon be making a come-back after the long lay-off.
“I cannot say that Ngoma has fully recovered, but we were happy to see him in action during our friendly match against Shabanie Mine last week where he played the last 15 minutes. I am not really sure if he will play against Blue Rangers, but all I can say he that he is on the recovery path,” he said.
“We are expecting a very tough match against Blue Rangers. We need to be very cautious because teams that are at the bottom can give headaches. Blue Rangers are desperate for points and we would not want to be the first team to lose to them,” he said. Head coach Rahman Gumbo was on national duty when Platinum beat Quelaton 2-0 at Mandava Stadium two weeks ago with goals from Ali Sadiki and Allen Gahadzikwa.
Platinum are second on the log table with 18 points from 10 games and are looking forward to closing the gap on pacesetters Highlanders, who have a tough encounter against Motor Action at Rufaro Stadium today. Bosso have 23 points from nine matches Blue Rangers anchor the log with three points from 10 games.
FC Platinum have defenders Daniel Veremu, Gilbert Banda, Norman Togara, Qadr Amin, Zephaniah Ngodzo and Zambian import Frank Mlambo while Louis Matawu and Joel Ngodzo, Cabby Kamhapa, Mitchell Katsvairo and Thandazani Ndlovu will contest for positions in midfield.
Sadiki has been scoring for Platinum at will and is the man to watch in tomorrow’s match.
Blue Rangers, who have recalled experienced gaffer Misheck Chidzambwa, have experience in the mould of former Dynamos defender Nyasha Chazika, Eddie Mashiri and Vincent Nzombe despite failing to find the winning formula.
