MONOMOTAPA will be hoping to ease their relegation worries by beating Triangle in a Castle Lager Premiership football tie at Gwanzura Stadium this afternoon.
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Monomotapa, founded in 2003 by former Zifa Northern chairman Solomon Mugavazi, are going through a difficult period which has seen them dropping into the relegation zone.
The former Zimbabwe champions are third from the bottom with a paltry 24 points from 23 matches –their worst run since gaining promotion into the topflight league.
Biggie Zuze’s men, who won the league championship in 2008, could bid farewell to the elite league if they fail to pick points in their remaining seven games of the campaign.
The financially troubled Harare club drew 1-1 against Tripple B before settling for a 0-0 draw against Dynamos in their previous two matches.
Zuze admitted yesterday they faced a challenge in their bid to survive relegation. He described their fixture against Triangle as a difficult one.
“To be frank, it’s a difficult tie for us,” said Zuze. “There are things happening at our club behind the scenes. The players are facing a huge challenge and I am also not happy with the situation as a coach.
- 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
“I can’t say much, but I think there is need for all of us to help psyche the players. The guys have been playing well, but they need to be motivated. Against Tripple B we created plenty of chances, but we could just settle for a draw.
“It was the same against Dynamos. But I have been urging them to put behind them whatever is happening. We have been facing these challenges for a long time and I am sure the guys will be able to rise up against Triangle. The remaining fixtures are very crucial to us.”
The two teams drew 2-2 in the reverse fixture.
Triangle, however, go into the match without two key players Tendai Muyendi and Daniel Kamunhenga who were suspended because of indiscipline.
But coach Gishon Ntini remains confident his charges will come out with a positive result. “Monomotapa are a balanced side. They are a very good team and will be difficult because they are at home, but we hope to get a positive result away from home,” said Ntini.
After today’s assignment against Triangle, the Harare club host Chicken Inn in their next match and then travel to Maglas to face Shabanie Mine. They will then visit Black Mambas before hosting How Mine in their last match of the campaign.
