BANTU Rovers are 90 minutes away from a return to the Premiership and need just three points from their Zifa Southern Region Division One final match against relegation-fighting Rufaro Rovers at Luveve Stadium today. REPORT BY FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
Bantu Rovers lead the pack with 63 points, with How Mine chasing on 62 points while ZPC Hwange have accumulated 61 points, as the curtain comes down on the Division One league tomorrow.
“Tshintsha Guluva” owned by former Highlanders coach Methembe Ndlovu, were last in the Premiership in 2010 following a two-year flirtation with the elite league after buying Mutare’s Eastern Lions franchise in 2009.
They are 90 minutes away from a return to the elite league and any slip-up tomorrow against strugglers Rufaro Rovers could see them remaining in the lower league.
Coach Rueben Tsengwa yesterday said he was not worried about how How Mine and ZPC will play their matches, but was gunning for victory to book a ticket to the Premiership next year.
“Morale is very high in camp as we go to the Saturday (today) game and we are not worried about how these other guys will play, but we just have to win our match. We just have to collect maximum points. Everyone is raring to go and each player is aware of our destination,” Tsengwa said.
The veteran mentor, who has also coached Bosso, will be counting on the experience of former Premiership players Johannes Ngodzo, Gilbert Banda, Abraham Mbaiwa and Kevin “Scopo” Sibanda to inspire the other players to victory with skipper Nqobizitha Masuku and the Under-20 Young Warriors twins Elvis and Kelvin Moyo also in camp.
How Mine are hoping that Rufaro beat or settles for a draw with Bantu and they win against stubborn police side Black Boots at Fairbridge, so as to make a maiden appearance in the Premiership.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Coach Jeremiah Makota is confident of victory.
“We just want to win and whatever happens across town will determine our fate. We have prepared for this match like any other game and we always play as a team,” Makota said.
Gunmen Stephen Sibanda, Simba Sithole and attacking midfielders Donald Chiringa, Emmanuel Sibanda and Samuel Nasitala are in camp for the gold miners with trusted goalkeeper Nonjabulo Dube.
ZPC, coached by Solomon Kaseke, are also aiming for a debut in the Premiership, but theirs is an almost impossible feat as they pray for both Bantu Rovers and How Mine to lose and beat relegated neighbours Projects in Hwange tomorrow for them to gain promotion.
