Castle Lager Premier Soccer League side Quelaton coach Philani Ncube says his team needs “divine intervention” to survive in the country’s top-flight league.
Quelaton, who were promoted into the Premiership this year, are struggling at the bottom of the log with two wins, one draw and nine losses. Quelaton play Dynamos at Luveve Stadium today in one of their toughest league encounters of the season. League leaders Highlanders are away to Gunners at Lafarge Stadium this afternoon while another Bulawayo side Chicken Inn are only back in action tomorrow when they face Monomotapa. Ncube said things were not well at his side as players were struggling to cope with the pressure of the Premier League. “At the moment the situation is not good. We will do our best and manage what we can. I am running a programme for the players that was meant to have been done before the season started,” he said. Ncube said the team had to work on the “material” they had in order for them to be able to perform well come the second half of the season. “There is still a chance that the team could make it in the second half. That will however depend on the material that we have. We have to work on the material for us to survive in the league,” he said. Quelaton were promoted into the league this season under the guidance of Thulani Sibanda who was however released for poor performance. Since Ncube took over, the team has improved in their performance, but had not been able to score goals. “I am putting the boys under pressure so that we get the results. Like I said, our situation is bad and if it does not improve we will need divine intervention. We need to get the required arsenal as we enter the second half of the season,” he said. Dynamos have played nine matches in the season and have three games at hand. Their encounter against Caps United was postponed last week as the league champions were engaged in a Caf Confederations Cup match against Interclube of Angola which ended in a 1-1 draw. The Harare side is ninth on the log standings with 17 points and are tied with Hwange who are on 10th position. Dynamos coach Callisto Pasuwa could be wary of Quelaton who will be playing for nothing but a win. When called for a comment on their match, Pasuwa answered his mobile phone and hung up abruptly after this reporter had introduced herself. He was not answering calls thereafter. In other matches today, Highlanders travel to Harare for a date with Gunners in a must-win clash for the Bulawayo giants. Highlanders have gone three matches without a win and they drew against Harare City in their last match last weekend. Log leaders Highlanders are at the top of the standings with 25 points, three ahead of second-placed Shabanie Mine. FC Platinum, who are in third place after losing to Monomotapa last weekend, are at home to Hardbody. Fixtures Today: Quelaton v Dynamos (Luveve Stadium), Gunners v Highlanders (Lafarge Stadium), Caps United v Black Mambas (Rufaro Stadium), Blue Rangers v Buffaloes (Gwanzura Stadium), FC Platinum v Hardbody (Mandava Stadium). Tomorrow: Motor Action v Shabanie Mine (Motor Action Sports Club), Chicken Inn v Monomotapa (Luveve Stadium), Harare City v Hwange (Rufaro Stadium).
