Shabanie Mine have been plagued by injuries and are likely to miss five of their regular players when they host tricky Bulawayo side Chicken Inn in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Maglas Stadium on Sunday.
First-choice goalkeeper Victor Twaliki, Erea Phiri, Raymond Sibanda, Pervington Zimunya, Tarisai Rukanda and Marlven Fenyeka are on the Zvishavane side’s injury list.
Shabanie Mine coach Luke “Vahombe” Masomere confirmed the injury nightmare to NewsDay Sport yesterday.
“My preparations were on course, but injuries have hit me hard. Five of my regular players may not make it for the game and that is a cause for concern ahead of such a tricky encounter,” said Vahombe, without elaborating on the nature of the injuries his players have succumbed to.
Shabanie are joint second on the log with FC Platinum and hope to maintain their winning streak and keep pace with log leaders Highlanders whom they trail by three points.
The absence of the five may affect the team’s rhythm which has seen them win their last two games. The injury setback could provide Adam Ndlovu with the edge he needs to be the second team, after Highlanders, to collect maximum points at Maglas.
Masomere, however, chose to wear a brave face. “Of course, our rhythm in the field may be affected but not the results. The boys whom I have lined up are fighters, they may not quickly fit in but they will fight to bring the results and I am confident that we will collect maximum points,” he said.
The increased injury list in the Chinda Boys will provide an opportunity for other players who have not been getting regular game time to prove themselves to the coach.
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Roy Mazingi, Philimon Mudenha and Boniface Dimanji are some of the players who have virtually been warming the bench for the former asbestos miners and will use the opportunity to prove themselves to the coach if selected.
The two sides have met twice before and Chicken Inn triumphed 1-0 and 2-0 respectively.
On paper, Chicken Inn may look like a better side having claimed the scalps of big teams such as Caps United and drawn with Highlanders while Shabanie have struggled against the two.
